Story Behind The Song
I had always felt that the scenic road, Happy Jack Road, between Cheyenne, Wyoming and Laramie should have a story. Then, as a non-traditional student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie it came to me. A mountain man desperate for female companionship on the outskirts of a college town. It was written prior to my discovery of the actual story behind the real person referred to as Happy Jack.
| Song Length |
3:51 |
Genre |
Country - General, Country - Honky Tonk |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Tense, Aggressive |
Subject |
Dysfunctional Relations |
| Similar Artists |
Travis Tritt |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Happy Jack
By Arron Sullivent
Copyright 1991
(Verse 1)
Well I've been told the story goes
He came down from the mountains one day
Lookin' for a lady ?bout half his height and age
He roared into town with his hammer down
Like a bull roiling with rage
Been too long alone it was time for a change
Been too long alone it was time for a change
(Chorus)
Happy Jack, you mountain man
Best take your huntin' elsewhere
Lately the pickin' for ladies
Is slim around here
Happy Jack, you mountain man
Best take your huntin' elsewhere
'Fore you rile some cowboy
'N shots are ringin' in the air
(Verse 2)
Jack hit the bar in a '29 car
Black smoke rolling out the back
He knew what he wanted 'n without her he wasn't goin' back
Saw a girl of twenty-one and she tried to run
But she couldn't escape 'ol Jack
And when she reached for her man, she found a knife in his back
Yea, when she reached for her man, she found a knife in his back
Chorus
Instrumental
(Verse 3)
Back at the bar the knife hadn't gone far
And that cowboy rose full of hate
Started after Jack and his bride to be named Kate
Caught ?em on a ridge at a rusty bridge
Just West of that legend Chey Town
With a whisper of smoke, a grinnin' Jack was shot down
With a whisper of smoke, a grinnin' Jack was shot down
Chorus
'Fore you rile some cowboy
'N shots are ringin' in the air