Highwayman

Posted on Mon Sep 30th, 2024 @ 17:48 by Alastair Temple

Chapter: Besieged
Location: Cafeteria
547 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

As every now and then, Alastair sat in the cafeteria, during off hours. He had his acoustic guitar with him, and just sat idly strumming pleasant chords, softening almost into melody. It was background noise, mostly, for the few that frequented the space even at this hour of the day. They'd gotten used to it by now. Creativity had to flow, and it wasn't a bad sound - the man knew how to play. Plus, it helped him think, and he did his best writing in places and situations like this.

This time though, his idle playing turned into a set of chords, a melody. Minor at first, then turning into a lower major, as he started to softly sing, his baritone gentle and quiet.

"I was a highwayman. Along the coach roads, I did ride, with sword and pistol by my side. Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade. Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade. The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five, but I am still alive."

Now his eyes closed, as he strummed a bridge, his voice ringing out more clear now, with more conviction and strength.

"I was a sailor. I was borne upon the tide, and with the sea, I did abide. I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico. I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow. And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed, but I am living still,"

He opened his eyes again, upper body gently swaying with the rolling melody and chord progression. Students and faculty alike - the few that founds themselves in the space at this time - listening, some with a smile on their face as they recognized the song.

"I was a dam builder, across the river deep and wide. Where steel and water did collide. A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado. I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below. They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound, but I am still around. I'll always be around and around and around and around and around and around,"

His voice trailed off as the chords descended into a minor scale, giving the impression of an unending saga, as he continued.

"I fly a starship, across the Universe divide. And when I reach the other side, I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can. Perhaps I may become a highwayman again. Or I may simply be a single drop of rain, but I will remain, I'll be back again and again and again and again and again and again~"

Once again the words trailing off, though with a soft smile as he sang them, the chords staying at their level, before with a melodic flourish the song ended. A few of the listeners gave a little almost-applause as the others simply returned to their own musings.

Eventually Alastair too reverted to his idle strumming and thinking.



A few days ago we lost Kris Kristofferson, singer, actor, and the third of the four Highwaymen who made this song famous, music I grew up with. This post is to commemorate his gifts to entertainment.