Cedartown, Georgia – Waylon Jennings

Another murder ballad! I think that may be the theme this week.

Less than an hour north of me lies Cedartown, Georgia. A small town of about 10,000 or so, probably best known around these parts as being the hometown of Nick Chubb. It also happens to be the title of a Waylon Jennings album and title track. Why? I have no idea, but it’s cool.

Pretty tame as far as some murder ballads go, Waylon’s “Cedartown, Georgia” tells us a tale of a man courting a woman in Cedartown and moving to New Orleans. He works seven days a week while she does as she pleases, typically going out on the town. Eventually, the man sees her going to a hotel with another man, walking right past her husband, not even realizing he is there. The husband watches them go into a hotel and decides that he’ll buy a .22 from the local pawnshop, and, well, you can figure it out.

“Tonight I’ll put her on a train for Georgia
Gonna be a lotta kin folks squallin’ and a grieving
Cause that Cedartown gal ain’t breathing“

I love a good murder ballad; no matter how simple or complex, they always tell great stories. It’s fun for me to imagine the story in my head playing out like a movie while I listen to the songs.

Link to song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO_DyY82MMY

No live version that I can find