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LYRICS

Hinky was a traveler 
He roamed town t' town 
A country voice and an old guitar
Played as the sun went down
People sang and danced
Full moon on the rise
He won them all over
Before they even realized

When the crowd went home
The fun an' games would begin
A private session with someone’s daughter
Teachin’ her 'bout sin
The father came a lookin’
As the moon went down
But Hinky was gone, long gone
On to the next small town

One day down the road a ways
Hinky made a mistake
Caught there in the morning 
Cause he slept a bit too late
Brought 'fore the judge t' answer his crimes
Son, now you've met your fate
The gavel crashes down
Sixteen’s too young in this here state

Hinky ain’t been seen or heard
Since that fateful day
But every father's daughter
Is safer that way
Hinky was a despicable man

Songwriter - ©Eric Wise (music and lyrics)
First write - January 29th, 2020
Last Edit - June 29th, 2020
Recorded - December, 2021
Released - September 15th, 2023

Vocalist - Frank John
Guitars and Bass - Fernando Perdomo
Production - Eric Wise 
Mixed and mastered - Mixed Emotions Music

THE BALLAD OF HINKY – Song Diary

Another of my songs that came to me out of nowhere. The words “Hinky, I think he’s a traveler” just popped into my head. I decided he was a musician, added a bit of drama and the song was born.

In songwriting there is a theory, if a listener remembers two lines of your song that is a success. I am proud to say that after listening just one time many listeners know the entire story.

The song breaks one big songwriting “rule”. The rule is “songs must have a chorus” so that the listener has something to remember and break up the verses so that people do not get bored. This song has no chorus. Not even a refrain! And still people tend to remain engaged throughout the song and even know the story. I always say, “The rules are just guidelines telling us what usually works. Break them, but do so carefully”

Musically the song is quite simple. It has four verses. Each verse has two parts and a catchy riff to return at the end and lead into the next verse. There is an upright bass and acoustic guitar. I added second guitar to play some riffs and a 12 string to fill it out.

I visualize the song taking place in the old west back when law was a bit more customized to the offense. I do in no way think that Hinky’s behavior is OK. He is despicable, but people like him are common in our world. I, as a father of two, know that I need to be careful and protect my children from predators like Hinky. I do not know what happened to Hinky. I can only imagine what the judge did with him.

Eric Wise

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