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