The Ballad of Ronald Hanson

Song Description

A story about an accountant getting involved in embezzling, getting caught, running from the law, and getting caught again.

Song Length 5:55 Genre Country - Bluegrass, Folk - Rock
Tempo Medium (111 - 130) Mood Affable
Language English Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

The Ballad of Ronald Hanson
The paper in my pocket says my name is Ronald Hanson
Really that is not my name at all
It started with a dumb idea I thought I'd take a chance on
Now I find I'm running from the law

I did not use a pistol in commission of my crime
I never was a violent type of man
Armed only with a calculating and obsessive mind
I walked off with a cool five hundred grand
(adjusted for inflation)

Ever since I can remember I would choose the easy path
A direction seldom leading to success
I spent money with abandon but I never did the math
My financial situation was a mess

I was working at an office job balancing the books
When one day I was struck by an idea
If juggling the numbers is as easy as it looks
Every bill I owe will surely disappear

Chorus:
I'm sorry I neglected to recall that crime don't pay
That lesson as a child I was taught
I'm sorry for the grief I caused my folks along the way
But most of all I'm sorry I got caught

Am

The first time I embezzled I was paranoid as hell
So sure that they suspected from the start
I swore that if they didn't I'd not go back to the well
I would walk the straight and narrow cross my heart

But weeks passed without incident and everything was cool
And (G) by and by my confidence returned
Soon I thought I was invincible but I was just a fool
Although eighteen months would pass before they'd learn

One day I was confronted with the things that I had done
It seemed like the finale to the show
Then I saw an opportunity and thought that I would run
I caught myself a plane in Buffalo

Eleven hours later I was on Pacific Time
Hiding with a friend in Bellingham
I got out of bed an age ago and everything was fine
That night I went to sleep a wanted man

Six weeks to the day the day the F.B.I. man tracked me down
And asked if I'd be going peacefully
Before long I was sitting in a cell in my home town
Wondering what would become of me

One year in a prison camp and three under the screw
Taught me well and made me see the light
If I could do it all again I'll tell you what I'd do
The same thing but this time I'd get it right

Chorus:
I'm sorry I neglected to recall that crime don't pay
That lesson as a child I was taught
I'm sorry for the grief I caused my folks along the way
But most of all
Most of all
Most of all I'm sorry I got caught

Lyrics Rob Befumo Music Rob Befumo
Producer Rob Befumo Performance Rob Befumo

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