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The
Ballad of Alvin Ridley
(M.
Barker)
The folks in Ringgold, Georgia say Alvin Ridley’s mad
They say he lost his mind when he lost his mom and dad
He dialed 911 that day to report his wife’s demise
And when they heard the news it took the whole town by surprise
The
locals had no idea Crazy Alvin had a spouse
They thought he lived alone there in his roach infested house
When the facts came out she’d been his wife for nearly 30 years
It only served to stir suspicion and heighten their fears
Virginia
was an epileptic Alvin Ridley said
And he had found her breathless body lying on the bed
So he dialed 911 and told them everything he knew
He thought she might have had a fit as she was prone to do
1st
Refrain:
They
said he kept her locked away, imprisoned all that time
But the truth be known just being different was his only crime
In
the coroner’s report asphyxiation was the cause
And when the sheriff read it, it gave him reason to pause
Could it be Alvin had murdered her, perhaps that was the case
Surely he had smothered her with a pillow to her face
When
they reviewed the evidence the charges soon were brought
Murder in the first degree is what the D.A. sought
Though his plight with paranoia was never in denial
Alvin was ruled competent and he would now stand trial
In
the Catoosa County Courthouse they were packed in like sardines
How could anyone do anything so lowdown and so mean
There’s no doubt he is guilty all the locals would declare
Now should his punishment be life, or would he get the chair
2nd
Refrain:
His
lawyer said that Alvin Ridley’s trapped in his own mind
But the truth be known just being different was his only crime
The evidence boiled down to the pathology report
And Dr. Hellman said he’d read it if it pleased the court
Asphyxiation was the cause and it pointed to foul play
And Alvin was responsible and now he had to pay
But
a forensic doctor also testified for the defense
He said that epileptic seizures often were intense
And that’s what caused her suffocation, she had had a fit
And Alvin Ridley’s innocent and he was sure of it
Then
Alvin’s lawyer introduced her writings as his proof
Pages by the thousands that lead to the simple truth
Her daily inner feelings she had pasted to her wall
The fact they were in love was evident to one and all
3rd
Refrain:
Alvin
and Virginia shared a love that knew no end
They were more than lovers, they were partners, they were friends
Then
against his lawyer’s wishes Alvin Ridley took the stand
He swore to tell the whole truth as his testament began
And before he left the stand he had unveiled his heart and soul
Then deliberations started with justice as the goal
It
only took two hours for their verdict to be read
Innocent of all charges is what the jury said
Alvin stood before the crowd, acquitted by his peers
The silence in the courtroom now was shattered by their cheers
4th
Refrain:
The
spirit in the courtroom both surreal and sublime
When the truth came out just being different was his only crime
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