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  1. LadyFriend

From the recording LadyFriend

Charley would never have attained the fame and fortune in his lifetime without his wife Nancy Cooper Russell. I went to the home of Charles Marion Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana and was amazed at what she did for Charley. I walked around the grounds and sat on the porch of their wonderful home. I was soul searching words to tell their story. During Charley's life, the house was close to the Great Falls of Lewis and Clark Lore and certainly in affluent neighborhood. You can see the real logcabin that Charley spent so much time painting his masterpieces. Monty could peer in and say hello! Nancy worked as a corespondent, walking from the house to the warm log cabin. I wrote the lyrics and chronicle their life. In the 1800's gentlemen talk, Ladyfriend was a common expression.

Lyrics

LadyFriend
Words & Music by By Calvin Luna Balli
Copyright 2013 Calvin Balli Music






I met you at Ben Roberts on the shanty part of town of Cascade
You were only seventeen, you'd be mine if I had it my way
You helped cooked the dinner and set out the dinner plates
You're a hard working woman, girl you know what it takes





Woman don't you know that I love you so
I want to care for you don't you know...............Mercy





We soon got married and we rode up to Great Falls
I'm a rattle-snaking Daddy, you can call me Charles
We bought a house on fourth street on the fancy side of town
We soon had a cabin our friends would gather around





Woman don't you know that I love you so
I want to care for you don't you know





Nancy Cooper Russell my wife for many a year
I think I'll call you Mame and bring you all such cheer
Well I began my painting I'll try to do my best
I'm Charles Marion Russell the artist of the West


Woman don't you know that I love you so
I want to care for you don't you know
Woman don't you know that I love you so
I want to care for you don't you know





You're my best friend my soulmate the apple of my eye
we've lived the good life there will be no goodbyes
I only need my canvas a brush and some vermillion paint
Fetch me the makin's, a nip, I ain't no Saint
So if your ever near our home our house and museum

Drop by and say Hi to LadyFriend
Drop by and say Hi, it's our dream