Going home to Boley (Ballad of Boley, Oklahoma)

Unpublished

Back when the Creek came to this land

We were called the Creek Freedman

Set us free no longer slaves

To work the soil on the land they gave

 

With the whip off our back

The Fort Smith Western laid down tracks

A flower bloomed among the thorns

An all black town was born

 

Boley, Boley

Going home to Boley

 

Freedom in the U.S. mail

Freedom from slavery’s jail

 

We built homes, stores and banks

Hotel schools and water tanks

At that time cotton was King

The bells of freedom began to ring

 

Boley, Boley

Going home to Boley

 

Freedom from the Deep South

Freedom from the cursors mouth

 

Pretty Boy Floyd he said, “No.”

To his gang, “Do not go.

Into Boley to rob and steal
If you do you’ll just get killed.”

 

 

Instead, they shot the banker down

Alarms went off all over town

People came running pulled their guns

Pretty Boy Floyd’s gang was done

 

Boley, Boley

Going home to Boley

 

Freedom to educate

Freedom to love not hate

 

Since the year of ‘59

The rodeo has kept this town alive

Lift them up as we climb

Children aim high

 

Boley, Boley

Going home to Boley

 

Freedom in the U.S. mail

Freedom from slavery’s jail

Freedom from the Deep South

Freedom from the cursors mouth

Freedom to educate

Freedom to love not hate

 

Boley, Boley

Going home to Boley

 

Words & Music by Larry Long

Copyright Larry Long Publishing 1987; Renewed 2021 | BMI

 

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