I heard Utah discuss this song once on the radio. It resulted from a broken relationship (duh!). He said then that he did not sing it any more because it was too angry.

Well, it certainly is an angry song. It is obvious from the numerous covers that many others found it had a strong message for them and others. I grew up in a family where anger was seldom, if ever, expressed. Of course, it was there as it is in many families. I'm attracted to angry songs and I certainly like this one. Especially, I like how it moves from such a calm opening that gradually relates a sad experience and then briefly teases with a calm, country classical last verse that turns violent at the end.

As an aside, I had heard growing up about people chasing people out of their gardens with shotguns filled with rock salt and nails. The idea being to break open the robber's skin with the nails and then increase the pain by putting salt in the wounds. Who dreams that stuff up!?! Supposedly it would not be fatal. Anyone have any experience (at either end) with a shotgun loaded with "Rock Salt and Nails?

Roger in Baltiore