Shook's original songs take on the usual country spin on poor relationships, bad decisions, and excessive alcohol consumption for damn good reasons. Songs with self-explanatory self-deprecation, "Fuck Up", tangled in with a portrayal of a doomed relationship dripping with sarcasm,"The Nail", are bastioned by the subtleties of a bar patron considering taking a chance on a stranger in title track, "Sidelong".
When Shook's first band, Sarah Shook & The Devil, broke up after a solid three year plus run, Shook and guitarist Eric Peterson, continued to meet, practice, and plan. In late 2013 they put together brief stint called The Dirty Hands which ended after a handful of shows. The project they were looking for soon arrived with the addition of former Two Dollar Pistols' frontman, John Howie Jr., (now frontman for John Howie Jr. & the Rosewood Bluff) as drummer. Sarah Shook & the Disarmers was born.
Shook and chief engineer of Manifold Recording Studios, Ian Schreier, had worked together some years before when he supervised intern Mario Bianchi recording the Devil's seven song EP simply titled, Seven. Shook and Schreier had been discussing creating a full length album together for an age and, finally, during the first weekend of April, 2015, it happened. After nearly a decade of playing solo or fronting a band, Shook released her first full-length album, Sidelong, on October 16, 2015, at the Cat's Cradle Back Room in Chapel Hill, NC.
www.disarmers.com/
No Name
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the law was just the youngest man with the fastest gun
I was the tyrant of the desert, the sultan of the plains
With a golden palomino for the golden suzerain
I didn′t ride with Shotgun Betty, didn't ride with Jesse James
I didn′t ride with wanted outlaws, didn't ride with outlaw gangs
You'll never find my name though you may look
I leave a wake of death behind me a thousand miles wide
A thousand rivers of blood and tears the dying cried
I remember every plea for mercy begged in vain
I am the Great Separator and the instrument of pain
I didn′t ride with Shotgun Betty, didn't ride with Jesse James
I didn′t ride with wanted outlaws, didn't ride with outlaw gangs
You′ll never find my name though you may look
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
I was the tyrant of the desert, the sultan of the plains
With a golden palomino for the golden suzerain
I′ve killed more living souls than the Devil can claim
And I'll kill a thousand more because I have no name
I didn't ride with Shotgun Betty, didn′t ride with Jesse James
I didn′t ride with wanted outlaws, didn't ride with outlaw gangs
You′ll never find my name though you may look
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
You′ll never find my name
You'll never find my name
You′ll never find my name
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
The song "No Name" by Sarah Shook & the Disarmers tells the story of a mysterious and fearsome figure who was once a powerful and notorious outlaw. In the opening lines, it is mentioned that this character existed in a time when the law was determined by the youngest and quickest gunslinger. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer as a tyrant ruling over the desert and plains, riding on a majestic golden palomino.
The character distances themselves from well-known outlaws like Shotgun Betty and Jesse James, claiming to have ridden alone and not associating with notorious gangs. Despite their infamous reputation, the singer's name remains elusive, hidden only in the Devil's book. The lyrics suggest that this figure has caused widespread destruction and suffering, leaving a wake of death and rivers of blood and tears in their path. They take pride in being the Great Separator and the instrument of pain, remembered for their lack of mercy towards their victims.
In the final verses, the character reiterates their lack of association with famous outlaws and emphasizes their anonymity, which sets them apart from others. They take ownership of their dark deeds, proclaiming to have killed more souls than even the Devil can claim. The song ends with a chilling statement that they will continue to kill without mercy because they have no name.
Overall, "No Name" delves into the persona of a fearsome and mysterious figure who has left a trail of destruction and violence but remains nameless and elusive, existing outside the realm of notoriety.
Line by Line Meaning
Many moons ago before the west was won
Long ago, before the frontier was conquered
And the law was just the youngest man with the fastest gun
And justice was merely determined by who was the quickest and youngest gunman
I was the tyrant of the desert, the sultan of the plains
I ruled over the arid lands with authority, a powerful leader of the open fields
With a golden palomino for the golden suzerain
With a majestic light-colored horse representing my supreme rule
I didn't ride with Shotgun Betty, didn't ride with Jesse James
I didn't associate or collaborate with notorious outlaws like Shotgun Betty or Jesse James
I didn't ride with wanted outlaws, didn't ride with outlaw gangs
I didn't join forces with sought-after criminals or criminal groups
You'll never find my name though you may look
Despite your efforts, you won't discover my true identity
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
Because my name is linked exclusively to darkness and wickedness
I leave a wake of death behind me a thousand miles wide
I leave a trail of destruction and loss stretching over an immense distance
A thousand rivers of blood and tears the dying cried
Countless individuals have suffered and shed tears of pain and anguish due to my actions
I remember every plea for mercy begged in vain
I recall every desperate, futile request for forgiveness and mercy
I am the Great Separator and the instrument of pain
I am the dominant force that causes division and suffering
I've killed more living souls than the Devil can claim
I've taken more lives than even the Devil himself can boast
And I'll kill a thousand more because I have no name
Furthermore, I will continue to bring death and destruction without restraint because I am devoid of a true identity
You'll never find my name
You will never uncover the name I operate under
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
Because my name exists solely in the records of evil and darkness
You'll never find my name
You will never discover my true identity
You'll never find my name
You will never uncover the name I operate under
For my name is only found in the Devil's book
Because my name exists solely in the records of evil and darkness
Writer(s): Sarah Marie Shook
Contributed by Hudson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.