Richie,

Your painting is an excellent depiction of the ballad on canvas. Ten-Brooks is a favorite of mine.

However, I do not see a "growed-out shaggay mane" (the way I learned or misheard the lyric as a kid in 1950s) on ol' Ten-Brooks.

Of course, the canvas scene would be too "busy" with the train, coffin ready-made, kids a-cryin' etc.

Another misheard lyric of mine in Ten-Brooks that I prefer to sing is:

The women's all a-laughing, the children all a-crying
Men all a-hollering old Ten-Brooks "is blind"
Lord, or Ten-Brooks "is blind"

I assume the "ghost" stallion in the sky that is rearin' up is ol' Ten-Brooks after his "leavin' this old world, Lord…"

Thank you for the link to your painting, that was a neat idea. Now how about doin' a painting of 'Way Down Upon the Suwannee Ribber'

And yes, I like your painting and this thread about a song that epitomizes folk music at its best.

Cruiser