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Rick Edwards: Music

Dangerous Dan

(Rick Edwards)
July 26, 1997
Rick Edwards

The year was 1980, we, Gwen, Julie,Lorre and I, were living on 22nd St., across from the old Summerville Elementary School.  I was attending CVCC on a music scholarship, juggling a wife, two wonderful daughters, an education, my life and a raging desire to eventually become a bona fide folkhero.  Danny came by my house one day and for the nine hundredth time demanded that I write a song about him.  I was in the middle of writing a song about me and Henry Parker, so far untitled and basically a work in progress; the song, "Dangerous Dan" came from that work and is essentially about me Henry Parker and Danny Peoples and of course, named for Dan.  I couldn't even begin to describe the feelings I have for that man, ranging from love to hate and rage to endearment but in the end he was one of my fondest friends and the memories will endure.

DANGEROUS DAN

 

©6/11/80 Lyrics and music by Rick Edwards

 

 

He grinned through the thick, wiry whiskers on his face

And all of the toughness disappeared without a trace

He roared out a laugh then he gulped down his beer

And listened while I played my music in his ear

 

        Sure, He’s a rounder and a dusty booted rambler

        A wheelin’, dealin’, knife totin’, woman chasin’ gambler

        If he ain’t drunk, he’s drinkin’ and he’s drinkin’ all the time

        But the best thing about Dangerous Dan is he’s a friend of mine

 

Hell yes, he’s been to Texas and he’s spent some time in jail

He loves to put on hat and boots and hit the dusty trail

And he don’t mind you sayin’ what it is you have to say

But he’ll be the first to tell you that we’re all gone have to pay

 

        Chorus

 

Well, level headed people just can’t understand ol’ Dan

He’s a redneck and a hippie and a country music fan

He’s a honky-tonk hero without fiddle or guitar

He might be a folkhero but he pushes folks too far

       

        Chorus