This is a very complex story, with a lot of slang and words with double meanings so my interpretation may not be wholly accurate. I am after all an English man who has a very little grasp of the inner city NY underbelly and hey, I was only 8 in 1977.
My understanding is that the Police are investigating the disappearance of one of their colleagues and one of NY's finest officers nicknamed 'Nightstick' and as was the way in those days, They seek the 'word on the street' and approach and quiz a known informer nicknamed 'Nikel' on a train journey through the Bronx one afternoon as to what he knows has happened as he was there when Nightstick vanished.
He spills the beans for a bottle of whiskey and tells them the tale of how Nightstick had done a deal with a big time crime boss to turn a blind eye to a gangland execution in exchange for half a million dollars. Unaware that the Crime boss intends to double cross and shoot Nightstick when the deed is done. Nightstick somehow survives and is assisted in his getaway by a black accomplice from Rikers Island and may be hiding out somewhere.
Except there is also a strong possibility that 'Nightstick' may already have been murdered as the song says 'Crossing The River Styx' is what a sinner does when he dies and goes to Hell and out on the edge of Potters Field means this is were he was buried.
It may be that Nikel (in his drunken state) may be spinning a yarn and may be leading the cops up the garden path with this fantastical story for more scotch.
Whatever the story is; I love the Film Noir atmosphere of this song. The Gershwin style background music evokes old 1950's Hollywood crime movies. You can imagine the scene in a black and white train compartment, with men in overcoats and trilbies quizzing this slight little man in a cloth cap and work clothes hearing his fantastical tale about the 'Nightstick'.
@BarnabyHughes A Further Thought; Perhaps 'Nightstick' witnessed the Crime Boss murder his rival and was bribed by the gangster to turn a blind eye in exchange for the half million, or Nightstick is a corrupt Police officer who blackmails the Crime Boss, hence his revenge on Nightstick and he was murdered and his body dumped at Potters Field on Hart Island. Hence the reference about the Ferry Landing and the River Styx.
@BarnabyHughes A Further Thought; Perhaps 'Nightstick' witnessed the Crime Boss murder his rival and was bribed by the gangster to turn a blind eye in exchange for the half million, or Nightstick is a corrupt Police officer who blackmails the Crime Boss, hence his revenge on Nightstick and he was murdered and his body dumped at Potters Field on Hart Island. Hence the reference about the Ferry Landing and the River Styx.
This is a very complex story, with a lot of slang and words with double meanings so my interpretation may not be wholly accurate. I am after all an English man who has a very little grasp of the inner city NY underbelly and hey, I was only 8 in 1977.
My understanding is that the Police are investigating the disappearance of one of their colleagues and one of NY's finest officers nicknamed 'Nightstick' and as was the way in those days, They seek the 'word on the street' and approach and quiz a known informer nicknamed 'Nikel' on a train journey through the Bronx one afternoon as to what he knows has happened as he was there when Nightstick vanished.
He spills the beans for a bottle of whiskey and tells them the tale of how Nightstick had done a deal with a big time crime boss to turn a blind eye to a gangland execution in exchange for half a million dollars. Unaware that the Crime boss intends to double cross and shoot Nightstick when the deed is done. Nightstick somehow survives and is assisted in his getaway by a black accomplice from Rikers Island and may be hiding out somewhere.
Except there is also a strong possibility that 'Nightstick' may already have been murdered as the song says 'Crossing The River Styx' is what a sinner does when he dies and goes to Hell and out on the edge of Potters Field means this is were he was buried.
It may be that Nikel (in his drunken state) may be spinning a yarn and may be leading the cops up the garden path with this fantastical story for more scotch.
Whatever the story is; I love the Film Noir atmosphere of this song. The Gershwin style background music evokes old 1950's Hollywood crime movies. You can imagine the scene in a black and white train compartment, with men in overcoats and trilbies quizzing this slight little man in a cloth cap and work clothes hearing his fantastical tale about the 'Nightstick'.
Pure Genius...
@BarnabyHughes A Further Thought; Perhaps 'Nightstick' witnessed the Crime Boss murder his rival and was bribed by the gangster to turn a blind eye in exchange for the half million, or Nightstick is a corrupt Police officer who blackmails the Crime Boss, hence his revenge on Nightstick and he was murdered and his body dumped at Potters Field on Hart Island. Hence the reference about the Ferry Landing and the River Styx.
@BarnabyHughes A Further Thought; Perhaps 'Nightstick' witnessed the Crime Boss murder his rival and was bribed by the gangster to turn a blind eye in exchange for the half million, or Nightstick is a corrupt Police officer who blackmails the Crime Boss, hence his revenge on Nightstick and he was murdered and his body dumped at Potters Field on Hart Island. Hence the reference about the Ferry Landing and the River Styx.