Just Another Setting Sun

5. JUST ANOTHER SETTING SUN

John Henry “Doc” Holliday (1851-1887) was made famous by his part in the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881, which like Doc has been immortalized in books, television and movies like Tombstone. After visiting Doc’s grave on a hill overlooking Glenwood Springs, Colorado some years ago with Wayne Taylor, I decided I would like to write a song about him, but never got around to doing it. When I broached the idea to Steve, we decided to write it from the viewpoint of Doc’s longtime common-law wife, Mary Katherine Horony Cummings, better known as “Big Nose Kate” Elder. (A side note from Steve – I think this is one of my favorite vocal performances I’ve ever heard from Tim and through the years there have been many great ones. I really feel he gets inside the characters in the song and allows the listener to get to know them. It makes the song so much more personal. That’s really hard to find and so very important. Great job, Tim!)

Just another setting sun
Blood red in a western sky
Up above the Glenwood Springs
One more chance to say goodbye

To the man she gave her life
for thirteen years, through blood and tears
more than a wife, now she stands alone
and watches it go
just another setting sun

She remembers happy times
Trinidad down to Santa Fe
Just the two of them
Another town, another game to play

Then she watched him cry
on the side of the bed, as he held his head
Men had to die, because his loyalty was strong
But right or wrong
It can never be undone

Consumption took his life
they gathered ’round on frozen ground
better than a rope or knife
in this one-horse town, she laid them down

There on his grave
just a deck of cards and her last regards
Here’s to better days, then she walked away
dropped her daisy in the clay
Guess your runnin’ days are done

Another time and place
In an old folks home, all alone
She sees his face, just like yesterday
It’s that time of day
Just another setting sun