Straw In The Wind

The Steel Woods' song 'Straw In The Wind' paints a vivid picture of a small, tight-knit community where outsiders are met with suspicion and often face dire consequences. The song opens with a stranger arriving from the west, trying to make a quick buck by selling snake oil. Despite a warning from the barkeep, the stranger fails to understand the gravity of the situation and ultimately vanishes, 'like straw in the wind.' This metaphor suggests that outsiders who come with ill intentions or naivety are quickly and quietly dealt with, disappearing without a trace.

The narrative continues with the story of a young woman who falls in love with a man in a northern town. Initially, he treats her well, but as the sun sets and whiskey flows, his true nature is revealed through violence. The bruise on her face tests the patience of her family, hinting at a possible retribution that leads to the man's disappearance. This part of the song underscores the community's intolerance for abuse and their willingness to take matters into their own hands to protect their own.

The song also touches on the story of Ol' Jim, a local who becomes a target after running his mouth while drunk. Despite being good to the kids and fair in his trade, his loose tongue leads to a violent encounter with a traveling man, who then disappears. The recurring theme of strangers vanishing 'like straw in the wind' serves as a warning to those who might underestimate the community's resolve to maintain their way of life. The final verse suggests that the community judges outsiders based on their intentions, welcoming those with good hearts while making those with ill intentions disappear, maintaining a sense of justice and order in their own way.