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Mississippi Stories, Vol. 1

by Highway 80 Stories

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1.
Mildred's House of Values 03:43
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MILDRED'S HOUSE OF VALUES (F.D. Leone, Jr.) Mildred’s “House of Values,” on a corner lot A price tag hung from every table and chair Things for sale like any other shop But it was Mildred’s home and she still lived there Her son Levi would come by and do odd jobs Help his momma with what she needed done Rustin’ on blocks, a ’68 Dodge Levi never could get to run A person does all they can do Full time job just gettin’ through Rise in the morning, close your eyes at night In between, try to get it right Mildred was widowed nineteen-seventy-five Leon Hooper was a good man Price tags went up, year after he died Life don’ turn out nothin’ like we plan The ’68 Dodge, last car Leon bought Rest of his stuff, sittin’ in a shed You can see in Levi, Leon’s walk Are the ones we love ever really dead? A person does all they can do … Mildred’s “House of Values,” on a corner lot From every stick of furniture a price tag hung A ‘68 Dodge rustin’ on blocks Levi never could get to run © 2017 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.
Levy and Lucy 03:27
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LEVY AND LUCY (F.D. Leone, Jr.) Lucy Cooper cussed the hammer that struck her thumb Sent it sailing to kingdom come Grabbed a whiskey bottle and marched out to her front porch Found a roach and lit it with a butane torch Levi Hooper watched from across the street Wonderin’ how they might come to meet He strolled out real slow looked in his mailbox Lucy called out,”hey, hotshot” Love can’t be controlled Can’t be foretold If you can explain it It ain’ it Love can’t be fenced Or convinced If you can explain it It ain’ it Every Sunday Levi would stop by on his way to church Look at his feet with each of Lucy’s cuss words Levi hoped she might want to come with him sometime But he tried to push that thought out of his mind Lucy had no luck at tryin’ to settle down Her old friends always kept coming around Lucy got busted they sent her to the prison farm Where she put that stuff all up her arm Love can’t be controlled Can’t be foretold If you can explain it It ain’ it Love can’t be fenced Or convinced If you can explain it It ain’ it © 2017 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.
Louanne in Vicksburg 04:46
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LOUANNE IN VICKSBURG (F.D. Leone, Jr.) Louanne came from Dallas money A mansion in Highland Park Brought julips to her daddy on the veranda While fireflies flickered in the dark A summer of magnolia ‘n’ mimosa Sweet perfume on the heavy August air Louanne left for college, Oxford Mi’sippy Ronnie Raney was what she’d find there When you don’t hear what momma says And don’t think daddy knows best If nothin’ is all they’re owed You’re headed down your own road You’re headed down your own road Ronnie Raney was the perfect antidote For Louanne’s Highland Park innocence They traded Ol’ Miss for a shotgun house in Vicksburg With no thought to consequence Molly Raney was Ronnie’s mother His brother Lonnie was shurf The Raneys sold drugs from Natchez to Memphis You get in their way, you got hurt When you don’t hear what momma says … November and an iron sky Fields of skeleton cotton and corn Louanne was tryin’ to drive back to Dallas To the one she was when she was born At a Pak-a-Sak this side of Waskom Standing at the Texas line Drizzlin’ rain fallin’ steady since she left Monroe She ain’t ready to leave Vicksburg behind She ain’t ready to leave Vicksburg behind © 2017 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.
4.
Ready For Change 03:11
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When Lucy and Levi met Lucy wasn’t ready yet To turn over a new leaf But she really wanted to To do what she had to do Her life had mostly brought her grief The mirror Lucy looked in Showed her where she had been But not where she wanted to go to Levi was steady, Levi was strong Someone Lucy could rely upon Change ain’t what you want but what you do Lucy wasn’t sure how to start But something was cooking in her heart Pushing her past the life she had known Levi was the catalyst Even so it was hit or miss All he could do was cheer Lucy on The mirror Lucy looked in Showed her where she had been But not where she wanted to go to Levi was steady, Levi was strong Someone Lucy could rely upon Change ain’t what you want but what you do It’ll take some time For Lucy to leave behind The people and things holding her back The mirror Lucy looked in Showed her where she had been But not where she wanted to go to Levi was steady, Levi was strong Someone Lucy could rely upon Change ain’t what you want but what you do © 2019 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. credits
5.
One Time Too Many 02:38
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She’d like to fix up her dinette Yellow wallpaper with nosegays A hard wood floor would do the trick Those stains’ll take more than paint A buzzer spoils this daydream Lights out and the bars clang shut It’ll have to wait twenty years This cell is where she’ll stay put She’d had enough Taken too much He treated her rough one time too many She did the crime She’ll do the time Regrets? No, she don’t have any She brought him his beer and a slice of pie Then shot him with his deer gun It was worth it just to see him surprised Once he realized just what she’d done She’d had enough … His brother was sheriff of Warren County There was no doubt the fix was in A jury of his peers showed no mercy But if she could she’d do it again She’d had enough … © 2017 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. credits
6.
When Louanne Met Lucy in Prison 03:24
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When Louanne met Lucy in prison Lou was halfway through her twenty For killin’ Ronnie Raney Who hit her once too many Lucy would talk all about Levi In words tender and soft It was old friends and old sins Got Lucy caught Ain’t that how it is sometimes? Ain’t that how it is sometimes? You’re on the verge of change Life sends you the same ol’ same They gave Lucy eighteen months Easy time for most but for Lucy hard Day by day she faded away Behind stone walls and steel bars Louanne tried to keep an eye on Lucy Easy in there to come to harm August night when they found her Needle was still in Lucy’s arm Ain’t that how it is sometimes … Louanne got word to Levi Said it best she knew how Lucy only had six weeks left She ain’ never gettin’ out Levi read that letter and then Put it in his dresser drawer Got drunk in Vicksburg went a little further Did a little more © 2017 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.
Levi After Lucy 04:25
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Levi staggered up the stone church steps A slice of moon hung above a wooden cross Inside the door he stared at a concrete font Then walked down the aisle, drunk and lost He eased himself into a pew and sat Musty scent of incense hung in the air Worn leather knee-benches underfoot Levi tried to find the words of a prayer Vicksburg, Greenwood, Greenville Gone down many roads, travelin’ still Pavement, gravel, then dirt But what he’s lookin’ for ain’t in this church His head sank to his chest; he slept A priest shook him; he struggled to his feet The priest asked him, “Do I know ye?” “No,” Levi said. “You don’ know me.” Vicksburg, Greenwood, Greenville … “Please, Lord, please keep me still From sinkin’ lower an’ blowin’ away I’ll straighten out I swear I will Least that’s how I feel today” Priest looked him over and said “Were you waiting to see me?” Woman was dustin’ the altar with a rag “No, sir, I just fell asleep.” Vicksburg, Greenwood, Greenville … © 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.
8.
Down 80 East 03:13
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Levi woke up on the wrong side of the road Sitting on the side of 80 East Last thing he remembered was stumbling out that old church Pressing a wrinkled twenty on the priest Time to go back, runnin’ wild has run its course He can’t run away from the grief He needs a shave, a strong cup of coffee Time to go back, down 80 East He don’t understand why Lucy did what she did She was so close to getting her parole But this drinking and running has gone on long enough What he’s looking for ain’t down this road Time to go back, runnin’ wild has run its course He can’t run away from the grief He needs a shave, a strong cup of coffee Time to go back, down 80 East All along Levi thought it too good to be true Doubted he and Lucy would last But it looked like she was headed in the right direction In the end she just ran out of gas Time to go back, runnin’ wild has run its course He can’t run away from the grief He needs a shave, a strong cup of coffee Time to go back, down 80 East © 2019 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.
Lucy's Grandma On Her Mama's Side 04:14
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Lucy’s grandma on her momma’s side Was still around when Lucy died Bessie Grant was born in the Depression Had a hard life but was full of fun Lucy was her favorite one They never told her Lucy died in prison Bessie’s momma was a blockader Revenuers could never fade her When she drove her fast pilot car Millie Sparks had a diamond in her teeth Ever’ thing she did was for keeps Wore a camel coat; smoked a cigar A long line of strong women Tough as nails every one They were here before this land was named None of ’em was ever tamed There ain’ ’nuff time to tell what all they done Lucy’s momma Mae had a juke joint Over by Friar’s Point Where the all the old blues men played Lucy’s daddy Frank burned it down Bragged he was tired of her runnin’ around ‘Til he met the business end of a .38 A long line of strong women … Maybe you heard about Lucy’s end But six months after she went in She had a baby, a little boy They took the child and sent him off Did it all without a second thought Momma Mae found him, raised him up as McCoy A long line of strong women … © 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.
10.
Molly's Got A Secret 04:30
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Molly’s got a secret, a deep dark secret She ain’t told, but don’t know if she can keep it It’s burn’d a hole in her heart, all the way up to the skin Once it’s out, it can’t be put back again She’s protected him for so long She knows he hurt her, knows it was wrong She still feels guilty all the same Even though she knows he’s the only one to blame Molly’s got a secret, a deep dark secret … […] Molly’s got a secret from years before She can’t forget it, can’t live with it no more She drinks a little too much, laughs a little too loud When his name comes up she don’t wanna be around Molly’s got a secret, a deep dark secret … First chance she got she put Delta behind her Won’t let what that man did define her What happened in Delta she’s buried it deep Her skin is thicker now, it’s a secret she can keep Molly’s got a secret, a deep dark secret … © 2019 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. credits
11.
'57 Fleetwood to Memphis 03:25
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Vernon took pride in his small batch corn whiskey Made it in his great-great-granddaddy‘s copper bowl He would age it five years in oak barrels It came out tobacco gold He sold it to Memphis judges and politicians Hundred dollar bottles in back alley deals Come a long way from his great-great-granddaddy And those Ulster hills On and on and on and on it goes They are tryin’ to get somewhere On and on and on and on it goes They just know they ain’ quite there 1741 his people came to Virginia Indentured servants just tryin’ to stay alive Seven long years they learned one hard lesson Do what you have to: survive On and on and on and on it goes … Vern drove a ’57 Fleetwood to Memphis Tailgate riding low with gallon cans and Mason jars Coming back empty he’d open up that Caddy Just to hear the V8 roar On and on and on and on it goes … © 2017 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.
When Molly Motts Married Vernon Raney 03:48
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From her bedroom in Delta, Louisiana Molly Motts could see the Vicksburg lights She thought they looked like stars in the River A just out of reach paradise About two hundred people live in Delta Vicksburg has a hundred times more than that Molly would close her eyes and dream her future Leaving Delta and never lookin’ back Home is a place that’s supposed to be safe And not what you have to run from But when home is the place that you must escape Then it’s just where you come from When Molly Motts married Vernon Raney Vern was more than fifty years old He was Lonsom Raney‘s great-great-grandson The first to age the Raney clear to gold Molly was three months along with little Lonnie Vern was glad to finally be a dad at last Molly sure won’t miss that Delta bedroom Or her step-dad and what her momma never asked Home is a place that’s supposed to be safe … © 2017 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.
When Vernon Raney Put Otis Odum Down 04:03
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When Vernon learned about, How Molly had been abused; He swore to himself what he'd do. He knew the one who done it, Though it could not be proved; He was sure, Molly told the truth. Was an August afternoon, Molly and Vern at the river; When she began to talk. Vernon did not interrupt her, Just let Molly surrender The whole sordid story as they walked. Then she just stopped talkin', They stood at the shore; The still air held her last words. They turned for home and supper, The scratch of knife and fork; Was the only sound that they heard. Vernon asked around Vicksburg, Got the dope on Otis Odom; He'd choose the right time and place. Make it look like self defense, Wouldn't take much to goad him; Knowin' Otis, he'd wanna save face. Vernon cleaned his .45, Said, "I'll be gone an hour;" Set his jaw, an' walked out to his truck. Molly finished washin' dishes, It was full dark now; Sat down wi' th' corn she'd set aside to husk. Vern caught up with Odom, At a dive bar in Vicksburg; Vern smiled at his good luck. "You're Otis Odom, ain't ya?" "Yep, since my birth;" "I've got somp'n for ya in my truck." Vern followed Otis out, Grabbed a hay hook on some lumber; Split th' bastard's skull in two. Pulled Odom to his truck, Chained him to the bumper; Dragged th' body to the bayou. Tossed the hay hook out th' windah, Put his truck in reverse; Then jus' sat there, the engine runnin'. After two weeks of lookin', Vern talked t' th' Shurf; "This August heat sure is somp'n'." © 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.
Sweetheart of Mine 03:42
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Sweetheart of mine Good mornin' Next time you see me You better run You broke my heart My sweet darlin' Next time I see you I'll have a gun By the time you see me Be too late believe me In my hand will be my .45 Sweetheart of mine Your new sugar I'll leave alone It ain't his fault I don't blame him Cheated and lied Now you're gone Treated our vows Like you never made 'em Last thing you'll see will be me Shoot you where your heart should be Watch the life leave your lyin' eyes Sweetheart of mine You will learn That I won't let you Walk over me Like I was dirt Be one time Since I met you That I will get The last word By the time you see me Be too late believe me In my hand will be my .45 Sweetheart of mine Last thing you'll see will be me Shoot you where your heart should be Watch the life leave your lyin' eyes Sweetheart of mine © 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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Mississippi Stories features the criminal Raney clan and how upper class Texas girl, Louanne Bowden get caught up in their seedy enterprise. We also learn about the star-crossed lovers Levi Hooper and Lucy Cooper. Some history of how the Scots-Irish crossed the Appalachian Mountains and settled in the Deep South.

© 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.

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released December 1, 2023

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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