The Bell at Midnight

[Verse 1]
Grandma rocks slow on the front porch rail,
The lantern flickers, her face turns pale.
“You asked, my dear, why the bell would chime
One single toll at midnight time.”

“Long ago in Dust Creek's sun,
A rider came with a loaded gun.
They say he killed with a devil’s grin,
And brought the curse we’re living in.”



[Chorus]
When the bell rings through the dead of night,
Hide your soul, stay out of sight.
Bar your door, don’t dare to speak,
The outlaw rides through Dust Creek.



[Verse 2]
He wore all black, his eyes burned red,
We hung him high — thought he was dead.
But dust don’t hold the wicked down,
He rose again from blood-soaked ground.

A sinner’s ghost, with vengeance deep,
He comes for those who dare not weep.
He rides the winds, he haunts the past,
And none who see him ever last.



[Chorus]
When the bell rings through the dead of night,
Hide your soul, stay out of sight.
Bar your door, don’t dare to speak,
The outlaw rides through Dust Creek.



[Bridge]
You’ll hear the hooves, slow, heavy, clear —
A single horse that draws too near.
No rider seen, yet still they say —
His steed walks dust at end of day.

A wicked laugh, not man nor beast,
It chills your bones, it never ceased.
He rides with wrath no prayer could tame —
The cursed one without a name.



[Final Chorus]
When the bell rings through the dead of night,
Don’t look out, don’t trust the light.
Whisper low, and never peek —
The outlaw rides through Dust Creek.

dark country, slow tempo, gritty slide guitar, eerie harmonica, deep male vocals, desert noir, minor key, ominous mood