Desolation

Bob Nolan/Curley Fletcher
Original copyright: April 11, 1952

Desolate, destitute desert land ~
Cruel is my terrible, ruthless hand.
Waterless waste of stone and sand.
Weary and worn, tortured and torn,
I am Desolation.

Steeped in eternal starvation am I,
Seared by the withering wind so dry,
Scorched by the blistering sun on high.
Sorrow me not, if thirsty men die,
For I am Desolation, Desolation, Desolation.

Where here only fanged and the fit survive,
Only the taloned and thorned can thrive,
Withered and warped, more dead than alive,
Scorned and accursed, victim of thirst,
I am Desolation.

Steeped in eternal starvation am I,
Seared by the withering wind so dry,
Scorched by the blistering sun on high.
Sorrow me not, if thirsty men die
For I am Desolation, Desolation, Desolation.

Bob Nolan registered "Desolation" for copyright on April 11, 1952. The sheet music for Desolation, co-written by Bob Nolan and Carman W. "Curley" Fletcher (1892-1953) of "The Strawberry Roan" fame was published in 1952 by Bob Nolan Music Inc. a year before Curley Fletcher died. Bob wrote the melody and some of the words.

Remembered now as a poet and songwriter of "Strawberry Roan", Curley Fletcher had been a rodeo rider until he began to lose his sight. He and Bob attended many of the same rodeos although Curley was not competing by then. It is possible that the older man with Bob (above right) is Curley in this late 1930s picture. Compare it to the frontispiece (left) from his book of poetry, "Songs of the Sage".

Desolation (Bob Nolan Music, Inc.)

Dave Bourne made the demo for the website from the sheet music. The song was never commercially recorded by the Sons of the Pioneers. We found later that Ken Curtis had recorded it.