Joey Blake was my cousin, although I hardly knew him. His family emigrated when Joey was still just a young child and we had no more contact. He was brought up a world away from the bleak industrial North East of England that I grew up in. Still he also knew some hard times. As a teenager, he was a bit wild and reckless, but he wasn't a bad kid. He was just young and full of life and liked having a good time. Yes, he'd been in trouble and broken the law a few times. Disturbing the peace, drink driving and that sort of stuff, but nothing really serious.
Vanya had been his long suffering girlfriend since they were at high school and much against her parents advice, kept putting up with his wild behaviour. That was until the final time when he had a fling with her best friend. She made her mind up not to see him anymore.
Joey drifted for a while and found himself one night in a bar in Porterville where he got into a fight with a local man. The man drew a gun so Joey made a grab at him and in the struggle, the man was shot and killed. But that's not the story the witnesses gave when the police arrived. Joey was arrested for murder. But then he escaped police custody and went on the run. That made things look even worse.
Joey hid out in a deserted shack near Stockley Ridge, a small mountain town in Yellow County. He'd managed to make a call to Vanya explaining everything and asking her to come out there and meet him. Vanya didn't hesitate and quickly made plans to travel there. However, the police were keeping a watch on Vanya and when she left on her journey, they were following close behind.
On the appointed day, Joey was waiting out on Rainbow Bridge. He was really excited when he saw Vanya approaching, but then he saw the police stalking behind her. Maybe he thought Vanya had betrayed him. Maybe it was just a desperate attempt to escape. But Joey jumped from the bridge and was killed on the rocks below.
After the tragedy, Vanya was absolutely distraught. She blamed herself for what happened to Joey and it took a long time for her to come to terms with events, although she never got over it. Finally, after some years, she was able to move forward and get on with her life. She eventually met and married someone else and went on to raise a family. But she never forgot Joey. Every year on the anniversary of his death, she revisits the scene, says a prayer and throws a bouquet of flowers from the bridge.
lyrics
On Friday, take the riverboat
Down to Lander's Creek
Stay out there a little while
Better stay the week
Then catch the train for Aulandaire
Change at Stockley Ridge
When you arrive, I'll be there
Waiting out on the bridge
Oh. I know I'm asking such a lot from you
But you gotta trust me
If you still love me
You see I killed a man in Porterville
Though it was self defense
But the law says I've gotta stand for trial
I wouldn't stand a chance
Cos the folks down there, they never took to me
I had to turn and run
They'd hang me as soon as look at me
What else could I have done?
Oh, I know you think that I'm just using you again
But you gotta see me
You gotta believe me
I know the way I've treated you is a crime
But I'm asking you to trust me one more time
Oh, I know you think that I'm just using you again
But you gotta tell me
You gotta help me
I know the way I've treated you is a crime
But I'm asking you to trust me one more time
I need someone to run with me
I need someone like you
I need you here to comfort me
And tell me what to do
My life is hanging on a shoestring
Please don't let me down
I've never needed anything
The way I need you now
Oh, I know you think that I'm doing this all wrong
But you gotta see me
You gotta believe me
I know the way I've treated you is a crime
But I'm asking you to trust me one more time
We are an indie rock band who compose original songs that have a story to tell. Our music is heavy with strong melody lines
and close vocal harmonies. Stories of circumstances and events that may have also touched your life and we hope will have a special meaning for you....more
