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Zach Williams - The Lawson Family

from A Bluer State of Christmas by Various Artists

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about

I'm dreaming of a white...uh...Blood Red Christmas. This is a true story that happened in Stokes County, NC in the heart of tobacco country. On Christmas Day 1929 Charlie Lawson (age 43) went on a killing rampage. He shot two daughters near the tobacco barn, Carrie (age 12) and Maybell (age 7), with a 12-gauge shotgun then blugened them with the stock. He then returned to the house and shot Fannie (his wife age 37), Marie (age 17), James (age 4) and Raymond (age 2). Lastly, he killed the baby, Mary Lou (age 4 months). It is thought that she was bludgeoned to death. After the murders, Charlie went into the nearby woods and, several hours later, shot himself. The only survivor was his eldest son, 16-year-old Arthur, whom he had sent on an errand just before committing the crime.

lyrics

Friends this is a true story that happened in the hills of western North Carolina in the year 1928. This tragedy occured near the little town of Danburry in Stokes county in the state of North Carolina. It's absolutely true. This man murdered his family, his wife, and himself. His name was Charlie Lawson, and this song is entitled, "The Story of the Lawson Family."
It was long last Christmas evening
The snow was on the ground
At his home in North Carolina
The murderer, he was found
His name was Charlie Lawson
And he had a loving wife
But they never knew what caused him
To take his family's life
They say he killed his wife at first
While the little one did cry
Please papa won't you spare us
How it is so hard to die
But the raging man could not be stopped
He would not heed their call
He kept on firing fatal shots
And there he killed them off
They say he killed his wife at first
While the little ones did cry
Please papa won't you spare us
How it is so hard to die
They did not carry him to jail
No lawyers would be paid
They'll have his trial in another land
On the final judgement day
They all were all buried in a crowded grave
While the angels watched from above
Come home, come home my little ones
To the land of peace and God
And... farewell ...
I'll see you there no more
But when we meet in another land
Our trouble will be gone

credits

from A Bluer State of Christmas, released December 10, 2018
Originally Written and Recorded by: The Stanley Brothers

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Hoover Dam Collective New York

The Hoover Dam Collective is a group of young artists based in Brooklyn, NY, who are particularly interested in making work that crosses the boundaries of traditional art disciplines. The Collective was founded in 2009 at SUNY Purchase College. The HDC produces performances in and around New York City, which feature collaboration between music, dance, film, theater, comedy, and visual art. ... more

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