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The Ballad of John Lewis

by macsmusic

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Update 23MAY2020:
I have recorded and posted a studio version of The Ballad of John Lewis for you! I hope you enjoy it - Ken

John (Jack) Lewis was a Constable who was murdered in a gun battle while thwarting a liquor store hold-up on May 23 1936 in Sarnia, Ontario. He was the first Sarnia police officer to die in the line of duty. Constable Lewis was a seven year veteran of the Sarnia Police and survived by his wife Vera and two children.

The heros that day were the responding officers that no doubt saved innocent members of the public in Sarnia and beyond.

So my hat is off to Detective Frank McGirr, Constable William Simpkins, Sergeant George Smith and Constable John Lewis who brought the gangster's crime wave to an end.

To learn more about Constable Lewis, go to the Sarnia Historical Society's website. There's also a great video produced by the Sarnia Historical Society about Constable Lewis on you tube.
- Ken -

lyrics

It was the long weekend in May ‘36
The town’s only liquor store poised
With last minute patrons, lined at the cashier
When bandits called out in surprise

One yelled to the customers “hands in the air”
The both of them stood with guns drawn.
A customer tardy with change at the door
High tailed it for help from the law

In liquor store forty-six peace was restored
But the price of the slaughtered was paid
John Lewis the constable gave up his life,
For the people of Sarnia that day.

A day like another, night shift on the job
Bid farewell to his wife and two kids
Reporting for duty, the new shift was told
A hold up at store forty-six.

The incoming call was at five fifty-eight
Four officers wasted no time
Amongst them John Lewis, just seven years on
A husband, a father and son.


Up the stairs officers ran toward the threat
The gangster he met them head on,
The first cop to enter, was shot in the chest
And the heated gun battle was on

Just forty-five minutes John had in his tour
Three men now lay dead from the fray
A hero’s send-off, in a city that grieved
Headlines cross the country displayed:
The first one to enter that day,
Was the city’s first cop to his grave.

In liquor store forty-six peace was restored
But the price of the slaughtered was paid
John Lewis the constable gave up his life,
For the people of Sarnia that day.
In liquor store forty-six peace was restored
But the price of the slaughtered was paid
John Lewis the constable gave up his life,
For the people of Sarnia that day.

John Lewis the constable gave up his life,
For the people of Sarnia that day.

credits

released August 14, 2017
Written, performed & produced by Ken McLachlin

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macsmusic Point Edward, Ontario

Welcome!

I'm a folk roots musician, singer-songwriter from Point Edward, ON.

I've been writing, recording & performing music for many years and lovin' every minute of it!.

You can always find me on-line by searching: #thefolkguy

Thanks for stopping by, Cheers! Ken ... more

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