Years ago, not that many, on my first full-length studio CD Panes, I had a song called Reap the Whirlwind. I recall hearing that line in the movie “Young Guns.” Killer movie, eh?
The fourth verse of this song was taken from a letter that James Butler Hickok wrote to his wife. “Wild Bill” Hickok was killed while playing cards at the Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territories. As he sat, with his back to the door, Wild Bill held what is now called “The Dead Man’s Hand”; eights and aces.
Jack McCall had taken earlier offense with Mr. Hickock. He stood behind Wild Bill, said, “Take this you son of a bitch,” then murdered Wild Bill by shooting him in the back of the head.
Part of the legend is that Wild Bill Hickok also held the Queen of Hearts. Some other cowboy thought she might be lonely.
Enjoy the song, please. It tells the rest of the story.
