Rock, Salt and Nails

Man reminisces

Over his lying ex and

Thinks he might kill her.

Too many songs about jilted lovers end with the man thinking he might kill his ex out of heartbreak and jealousy. I prefer my music to be a little less homicidal when it comes to breakups, but other than that, it's a pretty good song. Written, apparently, by one Bruce "U. Utah" Phillips, it was recorded during the Basement Tapes sessions with the Band in 1967, and is available on volume 11 of the Bootleg Series.

1. The weeping willows and I are hanging out by the river. The birds are warbling and moaning. It was here that you first lied to me about your feelings for me.

2. I can't get you out of my mind when I lie awake at night. You wrote me a letter and you were ashamed of yourself, and I hope your conscience continues to bother you.

3. Not being able to sleep while being heartbroken is a major drag. I go outside and look at the sky. I can't cry, I can't sing.

4. If women were blackbirds and thrushes, I'd go out to the marsh and wait for them to fly by so I could shoot them. If women were squirrels, I'd load my gun with rock, salt and nails.