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The Ballad of Billy Brown

by Tom Hammel

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about

A song inspired by the pioneering spirit of Fort Langley carpenter, soldier, husband and father William H. Brown (1875-1937)

lyrics

LYRICS:

The town was booming, Billy swung, his hammer down, with purpose
He built houses, stores and barns, near the farms of Langley

A bright-eyed woman tattooed on his arm
He loved his Annie til the end of time

The Towle Hotel sat, in the way, of the railway, had to move it in 24 hrs
The CN Railway said, if Billy could, he'll make good, and take it

Promise of whiskey got him teams of men,
They moved that building, now he owned that thing

Chorus:
Billy Brown, built this town, with guts and no glory, duty bound
Billy Brown, built this town, they came by the 1000s, to steal this ground

At the age of 40, on a whim, enlisted in, the Great War
Two years later, came back home, a broken man, trench fever

He dug a grave meant for another soldier
And that’s where he was buried when he died

credits

released January 27, 2022

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all rights reserved

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about

Tom Hammel Vancouver, British Columbia

Tom loves the sounds of the steel guitar in western swing, country, jazz and folk music. He has played and recorded for many bands in those genres. Tom has honed his production and recording chops on a number of albums including "Steelin Crazy Rhythm" available here. ... more

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