“The End of Revolution Coming”

The Great American Robber Barons (305am)

This one will reach into your heart.  I was warned – there’s no denying it.  I was told that this song would bring tears to my eyes.  And I’m not an emotional person – but, believe me, this did it.   It is about a race horse and its first and last race – and its death while in action - on the track. 

            ‘The End of Revolution Comin’’ is one of the latest compositions coming from ‘The Great American Robber Barons’ – with Keith Dion being the lead vocalist – along with playing the acoustic guitar and bass. Accompanied by Mike Wilhelm – Blues Hall of Fame inductee, and original member of The Charlatans and The Flamin’ Groovies from San Francisco.  The background music provided by the rest of the band is never overpowering, nor is Keith’s guitar – but all remain subtle and complements the lyrics perfectly. 

            But even that warning – even then in all honesty I was in no way prepared for the immense feeling of sadness and nostalgia that overpowered me as I listened.  Keith’s amazing talent for true narrative song writing really does get the message across perfectly.  Even if you have never been to the races in any way, shape or form, most of us have seen racing in movies or on TV, or both – Keith’s song writing has such power and combined with the equally amazing power of the accompanying music – I closed my eyes and was immediately transported – and could see everything with amazing clarity.  Probably too much clarity, given the subject and the intense sadness delivered by the lyrics.

            The ‘folksy’ introduction immediately reminded me of the music of the 1960s and 70s.  The folk music of that era.  Keith is a true expert with whatever form of guitar he chooses and his voice delivering this message is full of emotion.  Even if it wasn’t based on a true story, you would be forgiven for thinking that it was.  Either that or Keith has the most amazing and vivid imagination to go with an extremely convincing voice.

Still at the ‘demo’ stage as far as the recording process goes, this one will be completed with full vocal and instrumental overdubs and mixed by early November 2013. Lyrics and more on the background below including the race track betting stub from this fateful day.

The End of Revolution Coming

Words and Music by Keith Dion August 27^th, 2013

It was Golden Gate Fields in race number five

She was nervous as hell but really alive

Revolution’s Coming racing round the track

Making her move to the head of the pack

Making her move to the head of the pack

She’d just started out at the starting gate

Not too early and not too late

Number 8 in pink on both of her sides

She was bred for all this and this her first ride

She was bred for all this and this her first ride

This sport now of kings sometimes does not bring

Very much luck or forgiveness 

As there in the grass and the four leaf clover

The race was now done the new one begun

Hopes now to her the first time she’d race

Wouldn’t have mattered to win show or place

The roar of the crowd was deaf to her ears

She looked straight ahead and never showed fear

She looked straight ahead and never showed fear

What happened next no one could explain

And the tears of all there fell down like hard rain

She only made it round ‘bout half way

As there in a field in the track she did lay

As there in a field in the track she did lay

This sport now of kings sometimes does not bring

Very much luck or forgiveness 

As there in the grass and the four leaf clover

The race was now done the new one begun

The end of Revolution was now right before us

As her long leg was shattered as well as her pelvis

It was surely all over before it had started

No more were her dreams for now she’s departed

No more were her dreams for now she’s departed

Alone in her stall her owners now mourn her

While back on the track the 6^th race had started  

They call it just sport and entertainment and fun

But I’ll never go back there now away I will run

But I’ll never go back there now away I will run

This sport now of kings sometimes does not bring

Very much luck or forgiveness 

As there in the grass and the four leaf clover

Her race was now done and the next one begun

They call it just sport and entertainment and fun

But I’ll never go back there away I will run

As there in the grass and the four leaf clover

Revolution was done her race had been run

C + P 3:05 AM Music BMI International

All rights reserved

Keith Dion:  We Went with some friends on Sunday to Golden Gate Fields for some horse racing to celebrate one of their birthdays - All was swell until the 5th Race. I bet $5 to win, show and place on a brand new horse called Revolution Coming ! Great name for a new 

horse. Sadly she broke her hip half way through her first race and died right there 

on the track on her very first race ! What a tragic end to a beautiful animal ! RIP Revolution Coming !   Another true story .