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The Death of Carl Shelton

from Forgottonia by Chris Vallillo

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about

Now that’s country! The true life story of the murder of the Gangster Carl Shelton as written by his brother Earl. The Shelton’s dominated all of the illegal alcohol, gambling and prostitution from Peoria to Saint Louis and all of little Egypt and well into Forgottonia. After amassing a huge fortune, the Shelton’s retired from the business, but would eventually be murdered off one at a time. When the leader of the gang, Carl Shelton, was shot, his brother Earl helped write this sentimental murder ballad. I love it’s odd, out of kilter rhythm. It would go on to become a minor country hit in the late 40s.

lyrics

Written by Fred Henson and Earl Shelton


Near a little country schoolhouse in the county known as Wayne
It was down in Pond Creek bottoms, one day a man was slain
He was driving on the highway to see about some grain
When they shot him from an ambush
Carl Shelton was his name

Now little did he know this morn he started out
These hoodlums would be waiting there along this murder route
He had no one to warn him, he feared no rude man’s harm
As he rode his Jeep that morning to work down on the farm

Chorus:
He left his dear old mother there in sorrow there alone
Living down near Marion in her little country home
May the angels hover over her for she hasn’t long to stay
In hopes she’ll meet her darlin’ in a better world some day

Near the county seat of Fairfield they could not find the bill
But we all know that it’s not right our fellow man to kill
They even shot him where he fell and left him there to die
This mystery will be solved one day in the courthouse in the sky.

He had four loyal brothers, two sisters and a wife
To mourn his sad departure the day they took his life
In Maple Hill they laid him so peacefully there to rest
But his memory it still lingers with the ones that knew him best.

Chorus:
He left his dear old mother there in sorrow there alone
Living down near Marion in her little country home
May the angels hover over her for she hasn’t long to stay
In hopes she’ll meet her darlin’ in a better world someday.

credits

from Forgottonia, released August 31, 2022
Chris Vallillo, guitars, gut string banjo, dobro, bass, vocals

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Chris Vallillo Macomb, Illinois

Chris Vallillo is a singer/songwriter and folk musician who makes the people and places of “unmetropolitan” America come to life in song.

Performing on six-string and bottleneck slide guitars and harmonica, Vallillo weaves original, contemporary, and traditional songs and narratives into a compelling and entertaining portrait of the history and lifestyles of the Midwest. ... more

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