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Alabama Stories

by Highway 80 Stories

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1.
Lowndes County 04:40
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Sand Mountain’s where I’m from Traveling South on my thumb Until I heard a jail door slam In Lowndes County, Alabam’ I’d just been there a week or two What they said I done, I did not do They picked me up Saturday night Charged me for damage and a fight I told them it was self-defense What I said made no difference They held me over for trial, “Be a few days,” they smiled The Judge was deaf to my plea “Son, you look guilty to me” Thirty dollars or thirty days Up to you, it’s all the same” “Thirty dollars I ain’t got I might as well sit in jail and rot” Just came south to look for work Never thought things’d be worse Teenage girl brought me a plate Then sat and watched as I ate A biscuit and slice of ham She even gave me some strawberry jam Slipped the fork back through the bars Said she’d come around after dark If I could get myself free She just might run away with me Sheriff came to check my cell door Said, “One day done, 29 more Get some rest tomorrow you’ll work” I fingered that fork under my shirt They call this place Alabam’ But Hell is surely where I am I forgot why I chose to come Never should’ve left Sand Mountain Don’t know why I chose to come Never should’ve left Sand Mountain © 2020 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
2.
Riding Shotgun in Phenix City 03:20
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Phenix City, Alabama We were in high school Talked like we were slick Walked like we were cool I got my drivers license Summer of 2001 Bought a green ’78 Chevelle You rode shotgun Didn’t know how brief Our time would be That summer was sweet You rode shotgun with me We rolled the windows down Laughin’ in the wind I’ve never loved anyone Like I loved you then Never knew what hit us 80 at Evans Road A little cross stands at that corner The Chevelle was sold Didn’t know how brief Our time would be That summer was sweet You rode shotgun with me That summer was sweet You rode shotgun with me Phenix City, Alabama We were in high school © 2020 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
3.
Magomry 03:45
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I been dreamin' about Magomry This stinkin' farm is his, and he can have it My hands are calloused, and ugly I want my own life, that's all I'm askin' I'm sixteen and I made a choice It's branded on my heart, and in my soul I've had my fill of my father's voice There's a fire in me, I can't control Magomry is just down the road Where I wanna be, where I need to go Gonna get out from under my old man Magomry is the answer to who I am I guess my dad once had dreams Somewhere along the way he give up on them Now he looks around for someone to blame And I sure don't want to end up like him In Magomry the first thing I'll do I take a long walk down those wide sunny streets I'm sure in a week or two Get me a good job and it'll be sweet Magomry is just down the road Where I wanna be, where I need to go Gonna get out from under my old man Magomry is the answer to who I am Gonna get out while I still can Magomry is the answer to who I am My father left all his dreams behind He's doing his best to kill mine too When I see that city limit sign My dreams will start, coming true
4.
Rosalie 03:13
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In a cocktail lounge in Mobile Just about closing time Empty shot glass on her table Rosalie shuts her eyes Tully would always find her Bring her home in the past Rosalie looks around her Guess he gave up at last Anytime anyone loves her Soon she’ll be gone To the dim lights of a barroom Where she feels she belongs Mistrusting human kindness She’d rather be alone Telling herself she’s free Rosalie, ah, Rosalie She’d like to kick the habit Always choosing to run Since she was sixteen It’s what she’s relied upon There’s a devil lying to her Whispering in her ear She wants to ignore it, but It’s the strongest voice she hears Anytime anyone loves her … © 2018 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
5.
King Cotton 03:17
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Line of wagons filled with cotton Moving up one by one Line ends at Tommy, Jr. Ol’ man Monroe’s son Monroe owns the gin, an’ smith The bank, an’ the store It’s been a Monroe town Since before The War Heard ’em say cotton is king Well, I ain’ seen one yet The more I work, all it seems The more I get in debt Price of cotton keeps fallin’ Soon it won’t make sense to plant Most are still plantin’ and pickin’ A few walked off their land Sittin’ in a wagon of cotton Won’t get ginned ’til ‘roun’ four Tommy says what I got comin’ Less my bill at the store Heard ’em say cotton is king … They call me Monroe’s Tully Makin’ sure I know my place Tom Monroe is my granddaddy But my grandma was a slave © 2018 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
6.
The Black Belt 03:43
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THE BLACK BELT (f.d. leone) The Black Belt is known for the richest dirt But it's drenched in a history of hurt Cotton is king and defines life round here Row after row under the gun of an overseer The Black Belt runs across this whole state The Alabama River carries tons of freight Down to Mobile and the markets cross the seas The Black Belt reaches 360 degrees The Black Belt got its name from the color of the soil But also by the color of the skin of those who toil Lincoln freed the slaves in 1863 But a hundred years later looks 'bout the same to me I'm white and poor as they come I ain't got nothin' but I ain't dumb I know that just by being white I've have more Than what a better black man can ever hope for The Black Belt got its name from the color of the soil But also by the color of the skin of those who toil Lincoln freed the slaves in1863 But a hundred years later looks about the same to me A hundred years later looks about the same to me © 2022 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
7.
Demopolis, Alabama 04:24
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I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana But for about the last two years now Been living in Demopolis, Alabama It ain’t never felt like home somehow I came here on account of a woman But we didn’t last too long Stuck around, I guess, looking for something Months ago I should’ve been gone Gonna get my gun, get my gun Wanna shoot some, shoot some Buy some more, at the range A pump shotgun, a thirty eight There’s a market with a wooden Indian out front An old man we called Shakespeare was the owner It’s been there since the fifties, untouched I put some pork rinds and a beer on the counter Handed Shakespeare the cash for my provisions I remarked that the Indian was a little weird He said, “ain’t you ever heard of Hank Williams, ‘ Kaw-Liga’ was a pretty big hit ‘round here” Gonna get my gun, get my gun Wanna shoot some, shoot some Gonna get my gun, change my mood Wanna shoot some, improve my attitude I’m sitting in my truck outside her house She’s got a new boyfriend, from Alabama I watch him take all her garbage out Guess I’ll head on back to Louisiana But before I do I stop at a pawn shop A guy had a gun, “gimme all the cash,” he said Without thinking I yell, “hey fella, stop” He whirled around, threw a shot at at my head Gonna get my gun, get my gun Wanna shoot some, shoot some Gonna get my gun, that’s what I’ll do Put Demopolis, Alabama in my rear view © 2020 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
8.
Tuscaloosa 05:12
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TUSCALOOSA (F. D. Leone, Jr.) 8th of May, Katherine fled, Tuscaloosa. I coulda stayed, Hit the road instead; Tuscaloosa. A place, a time, The scene of a crime; It all remains, In my head; Tuscaloosa. Keep my pride Hidden away; Thought I knew her. Dawn sky; Iron grey, Tuscaloosa. I wonder if Katherine was, Ever, really, in love? Overnight, Frost on the clay; Tuscaloosa. Downhill; A road alone, Don' wanna lose her. Whippoorwill's Lonesome song; Tuscaloosa. Sun's going down, Another dirt road town. I'll drive until, She's too far gone; Tuscaloosa. White line, Leads to a door; Straight to her. City sign, Ten miles more; Tuscaloosa. An ashtray was left, Full of lipstick tipped cigarettes; In our two-lane Motel court; Tuscaloosa. © 2023 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
9.
Tuskegee 04:48
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Luther picked at the scab on his palm As he softly chanted the 23rd psalm He'd been at his hand with his pocketknife Making the marks of the crucified Christ Luther reads his Bible everyday Calls it reading but he just stares at the page A sister lady taught him from the book She also got him work as a fry cook That was before Tuskegee March 23rd, 1933 Which is why that psalm is the one he knew Luther honed his blade on the sole of his shoe The doctors said they could heal him But Luther believed they would kill him His father'd said you can't trust a white man Luther softly hummed and dug at his hand He relied on his wife, sweet Louise She died this year from his disease Luther wonders why her, and not him He recites the words to his psalm again That was after Tuskegee March 23rd, 1953 Which is why that psalm is the one he sang Luther used his blade and climbed into the pain Luther picked at the scab on his palm His wife had always been like a balm He lived ten more years but succumbed to the disease The last word on his lips was Louise He cursed himself, the doctors, and Tuskegee But the last word on his lips was Louise © 2022 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
10.
Rosa Parks 03:39
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She was born in 1913, Jim Crow Alabama Her mama was a teacher, her daddy slung a hammer She couldn't ride the bus to school 'cause she wasn't white A quiet girl, taught to be polite - Rosa Parks 1955 Montgomery city buses had two tiers Whites sat up front and blacks in the rear One day the seats for whites, they were all taken If you thought they'd ride standin' up you'd be mistaken - Rosa Parks The driver told Rosa to give a white man her seat But she was tired of giving in, jus' sat 'n' grit her teeth The police were called and they hauled Rosa in She had broke the law, but the law was a sin - Rosa Parks The whole community refused to ride the bus Their boycott carried on for thirteen months They drove their own cars along the same bus line Picking up and making sure folks got to work on time - Rosa Parks Rosa's name is the one we know but there were many others Preachers, treachers, fathers and mothers The case made its way through the courts to decide And when they did it was the day Jim Crow died - Rosa Parks It took one woman who refused to be moved And marches and sit-ins, before things improved This battle has gone on 400 years and more There are battles still to fight in this civil war - Rosa Parks She was born in nineteen-thirteen, Jim Crow Alabama Her mama was a teacher, her daddy slung a hammer Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks © 2022 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
11.
Crossin’ the Edmund Pettus Bridge 03:50
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Named for a Confederate general Who has all but faded from history That bridge is a landmark of a struggle Where slave descendants took a step towards victory It’s only fifty miles from Selma to Montgomery But that’s not really how far it is It was a hundred year long journey Crossin’ the Edmund Pettus Bridge Celsie Monroe was a slave woman Her great-grandson was William Crawford Harper He was just a few miles from that plantation When he stood with the hundreds of other marchers It’s only fifty miles from Selma to Montgomery … Four girls were bombed in Birmingham “The eagle stirs her nest” Jimmy Lee Jackson shot down in Marion Willie Harper was on that bridge for justice It’s only fifty miles from Selma to Montgomery … © 2018 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
12.
The Langfords and the Littlejohns 03:40
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The Littlejohns were ner-do-well Soon as tell you hello as “go to hell” The whole bunch was on’ry and mean They’d fight for the least little thing The Langfords on the other hand Were a church-goin’, peace-lovin’ clan When Emily turned sixteen She was George Littlejohn’s dream When George Littlejohn came to court Lige Langford wouldn’t open his door George stayed on the porch all night Just a-singin’ in the yellow moonlight Next mornin’ he was still there Snorin’ in the rockin’ chair Alma kicked him and said “come on in” Emily hid a sly little grin The Littlejohns were ner-do-well … Now George wasn’t like the rest Emily brought out his best The lone white sheep in a fam’ly of black She made sure he kept comin’ back At the weddin’ Lige stood next to Anse They drank, laughed and shook hands When Em’ly married George Littlejohn The two fam’lies were joined into one When Em’ly married George Littlejohn Those two fam’lies became one The Littlejohns were ner-do-well … © 2018 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
13.
Lamar & Katherine Fall in Love 05:22
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Lamar finally found Katherine; On a barge, partyin’ Been goin’ for a couple of weeks; It was nineteen and twenty eight; Th’ height of the Jazz Age; They hardly stop’d to eat or sleep. Ain’ the way it’s spose to happen, but it did; They fell in love. Hung ‘roun Tuscaloosa awhile Livin’ large, goin’ wild; Drinkin’ too much, makin’ new friends. Katherine led and Lamar tagged along, Out every night dusk to dawn; Burning their candle at both ends. They were young, just a coupla kids; When they fell in love. You don’t choose, The one who’ll break your heart; All you can do, Is play a little part. Tha’s why they call it fallin’ when it does; You’re in love. Right about then the Depression hit, These two kids hit the skids; So they went back home to Magomry. Lamar got a job at his daddy’s mill, They lived in a little house on a hill; Settled down and started a family. Just the way it’s spose to happen, and it did; They’re in love. Lamar made a little bootleg shine, But didn’t drink at all this time; Katherine was known for her fig preserves. She called him Pop, he called her Mother; Had one child after another, After three Kath still had her curves. They were young, but no longer kids; And they were in love. You don’t choose, The one who’ll break your heart; All you can do, Is play a little part. Tha’s why they call it fallin’ when it does; You’re in love. © 2023 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
14.
Wanna Go To Jackson 04:00
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WANNA GO TO JACKSON? (F. D. Leone, Jr.) "Lemme ask you somhin', Mama, Are you happy in Magomry? What would'ya think if we moved?" "'Magomry's home; move where?" "Jackson, M'sippy" "Why there? I'm confused." "Someone said it was nice, and I thought, Things jus' might improve." "Well, that’s fine, Lamar, When were you thinking we'd start?" "Right now, if you ain' busy?" "Lamar, I'm kinda far along; Cain' we wait 'til this baby's born?" "Why sure, Kath, don't get in a tizzy; But as soon as y'all are able, I wanna go t' Jackson, M'sippy." But it wasn't just one baby, In Katherine's belly'; It was twins tha' she was havin'. She named 'em Leon and Mary, For her mama and daddy; All the while, Lamar was packin'. He put 'em in the car, They all went down the highway to Jackson. They rented a clapboard house, 5402 Highland; An' met the couple at 5401. Donald and Marjy Motts, And their daughter Mildred; Who, one day, would marry Leon. Friday they'd get together, an' Play Moon and have lotsa fun. Kath brought her fig preserves, Some Fritos and Dr. Pepper; Marjy'd serve pimento cheese on rye. The guys would drink Jax beer, Maybe a highball or two; Sometimes Lamar got a little high. Then he'd stand at the hearth, and Sing Jimmie Rodgers all night. Don got Lamar on at the oilfield, They all became good friends; Sairdy night they'd go out on Flowood Road. Hot dogs 'n' fruit jar whiskey, Live music at speakeasies; They were in hog heaven, an' it show'd. The Motts and the Hoopers, Watched their kids get married 'n' grow old. © 2023 Frank David Leone, Jr./Highway 80 Music (ASCAP). The songs and stories on the Highway 80 Stories website are works of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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Alabama Stories include some civil rights history, touches on slavery and related issues, also included are songs about young love and some couples that didn't work out. Along the way there is a humorous story about a guy following a woman to Demopolis and almost getting killed, and another guy just looking for work and ending up in jail.

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released December 4, 2020

Guitar, vocal: David Leone

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Highway 80 Stories Whitleyville, Tennessee

Frank David Leone was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and has lived in the South his entire life with the exception of eight years in NYC.  Leone has also lived and worked at music in Dallas and Nashville.  He currently resides in rural Tennessee with his wife and three cats.
His songs have been recorded by Lee Ann Womack, Chris Knight, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Joy Lynn White, among others. ... more

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