The Execution of Black Diamond
by Curtis Eller

October twelfth is hotter than Hell in Texas
I guess elephants just go bad this time of year
And Clara James had no idea what hit her
Well we coulda done something if we had our shotguns here
But Corsicana, Texas
Is a town without no shade
And we never shoulda let that freak-show pass through here

(You got to) send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause somebody's gonna take the blame and it might be you
Well, send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause the old man always knows what to do

Well, I swear to God I never seen nothin' like it
That fender folded up like a valentine
And the trainers broke their necks but they couldn't do nothin'
That elephant's gonna be himself just one time
And the day will fall upon you
And the autumn will start to burn
And you can wash your hands but this stain is worse than wine

(You got to) send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause somebody's gonna take the blame and it might be you
Send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause the old man always knows what to do

Well they marched Black Diamond through the streets of Corsicana
Oh, but they could not chain that ghost up to the trees
He shook his head and he stumbled after the first shots
Even the bullets wilted in shame like a nest of bees
There's a funeral born in the circus
Like a stone baked in the bread
It was fifty bullets `fore that elephant fell to his knees

(You got to) send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause somebody's gonna take the blame and it might be you
Oh, send a telegram off to P.T. Barnum
'Cause the old man always knows what to do
The old man always knows what to do


MP3 file here.