I'm Limpy Jack and no-one cut any slack in the stories told about me

Rough around the edges, like all the other legends in American history

Drove a stage 'cross the northern plains and always made it back

I'm not the mean ol' cuss they say I was - I was a man called Limpy Jack.

I made it North after the Civil War in 1871

To tell the truth I worked in Duluth - on the safe side of the gun

But when I needed a wage, I drove the Red River Stage; had the fastest team around

Brought military aid in the Fenian Raid that saved the Canadian Crown.

One day I pulled into town with a rip-roarin' team - really gave 'em their head

Stage was a-weavin' - passengers screamin' - they'd have swore that they were dead.

Then Mullen's pistol tried to slow me down - he plugged me in the leg

Aftyer that attack, I was Limpy Jack - all through my stage-coach days.

Then I headed West lookin' for the best - stopped in Stutsman county

Discovered coal at Pony Gulch and was Jamestown's county Attorney

Traveled up to Arrow Wood Lake - had a little dugout shack

Soldiers and the Sious both stopped to rest - right there at Limpy Jack's.

Things were goin' great til' '78 - when it snowed on New Year's Night

My fingers froze, lost a couple toes - was ol' Col. Crofton saved my life

So if you're bringin' the mail down the Fort Totten Trail - stop in for grub and a brew

Raise a glass for me, cause every word I speak is bonafide & true.

I'm Limpy Jack and no-one cut any slack in the stories told about me

Rough around the edges, like all the other legends in American history

Loyal to - the Red, white & Blue - I had my pride and that's a fact

I'm not the man ol' cuss they say I was - I was a man called Limpy Jack.

Follow the trail - it'll tell the tale of a man called Limpy Jack!

Music and Lyrics by Tania Durham

ed. L. Webb

(The true story of Limpy Jack Clayton)