The Ballad Of Missing Hanratty Poem by Brian Purdy

The Ballad Of Missing Hanratty



Hanratty, where in the world have you been?
We looked all over, you ain’t been seen –
Not in the holds with the stevedores;
Not in the hell-holes dotting the shore.

Your drinking-pals say you haven’t been ‘round;
You’re hard to see all over the town
You need to come home, need to do it fast
But no-one’s seen you since Tuesday last.

Your wife is frantic ‘cause the rent is due
Your kiddies are hungry and it’s all on you
No-one’s seen you since Tuesday last
You need to come home, need to do it fast.

Now, down at a joint called The Iron Nail
There’s a girl who knows you like a cop knows jail
I tried your name, all I got was a smile
A dirty suggestion and deuces wild

On deuces wild at the tables there
I lost my stake with a double pair
Left by the door and I sailed through the night
The moon above me shed a pitiful light.

Chorus:
Hanratty, Hanratty, where did you go?
Your babies are hungry and your wife don’t know
How she’s gonna make it if you don’t show
You better come home & you better bring dough
‘Cause the future’s naked when the cold wind blows.

It was Tuesday last you were in a game
The cards were hot and the seven never came
You were drinking rum at the Broken Crown
You were betting high and laying ‘em down.

Might’ve gone to the dogs, might’ve taken the cure
But after that evening, well, nobody’s sure.
That girl who knows you just smiles and smiles
Makes a dirty suggestion what you did with that pile.

Now, it’s January and the port is closed
Ice in my beer and fleas in my clothes
The boys in blue might’ve earned their pay
But if they saw you, well, they sure won’t say.

Hanratty, Hanratty, where did you go?
Your kiddies are hungry & your wife doesn’t know
How she’s gonna make it if you don’t show
You better come home and you’d better bring dough
‘Cause the future’s naked when the cold wind blows.

* Please note: all musical rights reserved to the author.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Soulful Heart 14 March 2012

so touching and put in simple words.........u caught the agony and hopelessness........................

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Ludicrous Angel 17 February 2012

hehe cute! really impressive..by the way what is the tune?

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Brian Purdy

Brian Purdy

Belleville, Ontario
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