Otis Miller was a lad that killed many a man,
He robbed the Lanahechee train,
But that cowardly killer that shot Mr. Miller, has laid old Otis in his grave.
Poor Otis had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children, and they were brave,
Well that cowardly killer that shot Mr. Miller
He laid poor Otis in his grave.
It was Charlie Tatum,
that dirty little coward,
I wonder how he does feel,
For he ate of Otis’ bread and he slept in Otis’ bed,
And he laid poor Otis in his grave.
Otis was a man, a friend to the poor,
He'd never see a man suffer pain,
And with his brother Frank he robbed the Blackwater bank,
And stopped the Glendale train.
Poor Otis had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children, and they were brave,
But that cowardly killer that shot Mr. Miller
He laid poor Otis in his grave.
It’s Saturday night and Otis wasn’t home,
Out talking with his family grave,
And Charlie Tatum came along like a thief in the night
And laid old Otis in his grave.
Now the people held their breath when they heard of Otis’ death,
And wondered how he ever came to die
It was one of the gang called Little Charlie Tatum,
That shot old Otis on the sly.
Poor Otis had a wife to mourn for his life,
Three children, and they were brave,
But that cowardly killer that shot Mr. Miller
He laid poor Otis in his grave.
Download the campfire songs here and don’t forget to appreciate OP for posting them. info about the song under the cut as well as some personal thoughts.
Otis Miller is one of my favorite campfire songs and the reason I started all this. I really love the story, its so sad, but the way Karen, Uncle, and Pearson sing it is so perfect. It doesn't sound like a song to grieve Otis, but a beautiful ballad to pay respects to Otis’ life and family. idk, that could just be me hearing it like that though.
The real song, Jesse James, is very similar lyric wise. They didn't change too much, other than some places, skipped a couple verses, and changed how Jesse/Otis died. In the real song he is shot in the back while hanging a picture, instead of at his family grave. HOWEVER, the actual song is a fucking wild change from the slow pretty ballad of Otis Miller. The Ballad of Jesse James is a very upbeat folk song first recorded by Bentley Ball in 1919 and became so famous that even Bruce Springsteen sang it. More info on the song as well as Mr. Jesse James himself Here
Anyways now some thoughts on the people.
I. Love. Karen. Jones. i love her. I love that she sings so many songs! her voice is really nice and unique, and just like her personality, she doesn't hold back or try to sound perfect. She is singing, with her friends, kinda drunk, having fun. Karen singing happy songs literally hand delivers me serotonin i swear. (we can talk about Lorena and Farewell Dear Sean later bc my emotions are SO not stable enough for that rn)
As for Uncle, personally not a huge fan of him being in like almost every song but i mean. he wouldn't be uncle if he weren't slightly inconveniencing literally everyone. Also im pretty sure hes half the reason people start singing anyways. However i have a recent appreciation for Pearson's voice. Its so soft and soothing I feel like if i were at that campfire while he sang i would like immediately drift off. Its literally just so pleasant? idk man.
and Javier. My handsome man, my musical genius. I am in love with how the song is going slow and gentle until Karen and Uncle suddenly recognize it, and then the tune gets a little more upbeat, a little jauntier. King of tone changes?? i would die for him. This worship of his musical genius will be a theme considering he is the backing sound for 90% of these lmao.
In New Austin with Arthur and found Otis Miller’s treasure cache, and I am now laughing at imagining John finding like a half-dozen Victorian erotic photographs in Arthur’s satchel along with everything else. (It looked like you pretty much have to take the pics first in order to get the revolver?)
Granted, you technically can’t legit get the photos in the 1899 storyline. But the awkward convo in 1907 would be glorious, between that and him reading Arthur’s journal. “So, um, you were one lonely fella...”
