The Local Honeys | 'Dead Horses' | Western AF

We met the fierce Kentuckians, the Appalachian queens, the quick-witted duo that is Montana & Linda Jean of the Local Honeys for a session earlier this summer. One listen of their album "Little Girls Actin' Like Men" will hook you instantly on their music. Their songs are sad, but there's a lot of joy these two bring.

At one point in the shoot, Linda Jean just started breaking into a 'Bird Cloud' song and I couldn't stop smiling the entire day. I've never had a more fun time setting up for a shoot than with these two.

We shot at Amqui Station in Madison, TN. A pre-civil war railroad station that was famously bought by Johnny Cash and moved it to Hendersonville. After he passed away, his family donated it back to the town of Madison.

Sound director: Will Ross ( on insta: @willrossart )
Producers: Brian Harrington & Mike Vanata (Square State Film) All rights reserved 2020 © Square State Film

Instagram: @westernasfuck

[morganbeasley]

I can't think of a better song about horses. Just heard it for the first and twentieth time today.

[sproutandfae]

I lost my mare of 15 years yesterday. She turned 30 last month. She taught me how to ride and persevere. Thank you for making this beautiful song, it's one of the only things bringing me comfort right now. RIP Abby's Majestic Lady 1993-2023

[adambenigni]

How she is ever able to sing this live is beyond me. I’m over here crying on my keyboard.

[runevognstrup]

Man if a song ever got me in the mood to drink rye whiskey and cry...

[cindytate]

I can't get half a verse out without choking up a tear

[willagnes]

This is an example of the power of song. I'm a city/suburban boy who has never owned a pet or horse.

Yet, I've had this song on repeat all morning. The subject may be sad, but good art is that which reflects genuine aspects of experience. This is simply a beautiful song.

[coltw.mccannon]

Being someone who grew up with horses and wasn’t there the day my beloved mare died, this song touched me deeply in ways I couldn’t imagine. Thank you WesternAF for every musician and every song y’all’ve ever put out for us folk to enjoy.

Much appreciation,
Colt McCannon

[gonetomorrow-heretoday]

Soul wrenching. Growing up, my father and brothers raised thoroughbred race horses. Horses have always felt ethereal to me, even the wild eyed bucking colts.
Beautiful song, you two capture the feeling perfectly.

[EthanQuaney]

I think the most special part of this song, is that they captured the unglorified part of horse ownership. Everyone imagines galloping acrossed the prairie or petting a friendly horse in the stall, but no one talks about the darker sides of the dream. These girls took that idea, and made it somehow soothing.

[jnwoodard]

There’s some people in the world that were meant for a different time. These two are old souls wrapped up in two beautiful young ladies and have blessed us graciously

[cedarriver]

Well, that's such a pleasant tune! Lyrics and chords below. I'm missing some words, help me out there if you can.

Intro & Interludes C/G Am F C G C/G Am F C
Verses C/G Am F C x3
Chorus C/G Am F C x2 (F C Am F C added at last chorus)
Outro C/G Am F C

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
The saddest thing I think that I ever saw
Was a little buckskin pony born in front her stall
The mama laid beside the fence under a tarp out in the rain
Peeking from the plastic was her honey-colored mane
I sat down on the water trough, wrung my hands and cried
Suppose we're all just animals with slightly different hides

[Chorus]
I never got used to watching horses die
They die badly, it has kept me up at night
I never got used to watching horses die
Count my pretty ponies when I greet the morning light

[Interlude]

[Verse 2]
The horses got running on a cooling summer day
Feeling fine and frisky til a hole got in the way
The boss mare tore her shoulder, her stance was at a tilt, now
She's softly sleeping under the green alfalfa quilt
Graddy Pruitt took his bobcat and buried her for me
The dead wagon has turned around how happy I should be

[Chorus]
I never got used to watching horses die
They die badly, it has kept me up at night
I never got used to watching horses die
Count my pretty ponies when I greet the morning light

[Interlude]

[Verse 3]
Wild horses are in excess, herds are growing by today
Once prized domestic pet ain't worth the price of hay
They've been turned out on the strip mine, get to starving once it snowed
They'll wander off the mountain top to lick salt off of the roads
This little girl inside me is chomping at the bit
She cannot save em all, the truth's hard to admit

[Chorus]
I never got used to watching horses die
They die badly, it has kept me up at night
I never got used to watching horses die
Count my pretty ponies when I greet the morning light
I never got used to watching horses die
Count my pretty ponies when I greet the morning light

[MB-rsrm]

I love songs that cut right down to the heart of good people, one of the best I heard in a long time. Truly amazing, instantly became one of my "staple" tunes, thank you!

[jerryripken]

Just saw these beautiful ladies in Newport Kentucky last night. What a show. They bring lyrics as beautiful as their harmonies. They are both also very good musicians. I can't say enough. Fan til I die!

[donnope]

Hot DAMN this woman’s lyricism is insane!

[jadenonnel]

Damn this song is hitting me right where it hurts. I'm sitting on my porch sipping whiskey after holding my own boys head as he was pts today. RIP Joe 5/12/81- 9/4/21

[aprila]

Beautiful song I cried instantly, beautiful guitar and banjo playing. Happy to stumble upon this video, love this band now.

[oyvindarum]

Good lord, these two. This song. Magic. Amazing. Touches my soul. Every time.

[brenth]

I love this song, always have. Always sends shivers down my soul. Despite the shivers, I keep coming back. Strange. Thank you.

[jamesvizor]

I just love youtube brings me to all these great songs. Respect from the uk

[mainnn]

This one here moves the soul. Happy Thursday folks