THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

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  • The Concord Carriage - Th

    Poem Commentary

    By April, 1859 Concord Stagcoaches were running the 687 miles from Leavenworth Kasas to Denver.

    THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

         THE PIKEPEAK EXPRESS



    After I left the Army
    [A bullet had crippled my knee]
    I drove for the Pike Peak Express
    But my life was never carefree

    The Leavenworth and PP Line
    For me became my home
    From Leavenworth to Denver
    Back and forth I'd roam

    This day I mounted to the height
    And grabbed the reins once more
    This time I won't ride shotgun
    As I'd often done before

    "Git up there." I cried out
    "We've miles to go 'for night"
    Beside me Johnny's riden' shotgun
    In case there'd be a fight

    This Concord Coach is a'rollin'
    The smoothest ride I've felt
    Inside they've rolled up the leathers
    Fresh air, so they won't melt

    About ten miles we started to climb
    The Rockies are straight ahead
    The Hostiles will not bother us
    At least that's what was said

    Yet up ahead the rocks can hide
    A thousand Braves or more
    An' I hear Custer and the boys in blue
    Might be fixin' for a war

    Another ten miles we'll be safe
    Inside our first rest stop
    But on a ridge I see some smoke
    With Hostiles high on top

    I grip the reins much tighter
    And feel my hands get wet
    Around the bend we're goin'
    With Johnny's shotgun set

    Up ahead there's a cloud of dust
    There must be a hundred or more
    I don't see how a shotgun and horses
    Can out run this mighty hoard

    I yell at the folks inside
    To get ready every gun
    A fight is about to begin
    An' this is no time to run

    I loosen up my holsters
    And Johnny loosens up his
    We might not come out of this
    But that's just the way it is

    A shot rang out from the ridges
    I saw the puff of smoke
    I hunkered down into the seat
    Told Johnny, we're going for broke

    Then 'round another bend
    A flag led an Army Troupe
    That cloud of dust weren't the Hostiles
    They were my old Army group

    I tell you  that was something
    I breathed a sigh of relief
    For that day Johnny and I 
    Escaped a whole lot of grief

    The passengers to a man
    Gave us both pats on the back
    But I was only grateful
    The Hostiles didn't attack

    But it's all in a days work for us
    Every day is something new
    It's the excitement and the danger
    That drives us to do what we do

    Poem Comments

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    laurilang5 commented on THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

    05-31-2010

    What a fun ride! Perfectly executed and you truly captured my attention. Well done!
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    06/01/2010

    Glad you enjoyed it. The Concord was a special Stagecoach.It was a fun write. It created itself.

    icu2 commented on THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

    05-31-2010

    Wow, Stryx. I was along for the ride! Such a great piece here. I'm tempted to do a stage coach sketch for your poem....almost. You are an amazing writer my friend, but I would think you already know this, and that's a good thing. Thanks lots.
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    05/31/2010

    To hear it from you means more. Did you understand the use of the 'leathers?'

    icu2

    05/31/2010

    Yes, I think so. Isn't it the window shades?

    Stryx

    05/31/2010

    Yup..You are so smart!!!

    icu2

    05/31/2010

    No, YOU are so smart!

    SavVySam commented on THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

    05-30-2010

    What a wonderful write...I set right back and enjoyed it all!;)
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    05/30/2010

    I had to brush off the dust after I wrote it. Glad you enjoyed it.

    SavVySam

    05/31/2010

    You and Hampton both do such a wonderful job on these writes...wouldn't a collaboration be interesting...hmmm???

    Teardrops commented on THE CONCORD CARRIAGE

    05-30-2010

    I love this poem you have told a story of a true hero the stage coach drivers of the west . Well done my friend Marie
    Reply to Comment

    Stryx

    05/30/2010

    Tanks, M 'Twas indeed fun.

    Poetry is what is lost in translation.

    Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.

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