Dead Roads

I was raised in Colorado, just southwest of Alamosa
Where crumbled mounds of earth had once been houses
In the shadow of a mountain painted with the blood of Christ
On a coffee diet sweetened by molasses

Just when I turned twelve I was conned into a job
On the promise of high wages and adventure
Got my pennies from my jar bought myself a brand new hat
Got my leather gear, my pistol and my courage

I’ve been running from my choices
From the moment I was born
I’ve been demonized and ostracized
For everything I’ve done
I have tangoed with the worst ones
Yet have always slept alone
And the Devil’s knocking on my door
But I’m already gone


I leaned back against a stone wall, still warm from the sun
A cool wind touched my face with the smell of rain
It was quiet all around but if you listened hard
Far away you’d hear the rhythm of a train

And the campfire flickered on the face of a Chinese worker
that was feasting on the dark meat of a pigeon
While the gruffest of the men passed around a tub of whiskey
As he bragged he had just broken out of prison

I’ve been running from my choices
From the moment I was born
I’ve been demonized and ostracized
For everything I’ve done
I have tangoed with the worst ones
Yet have always slept alone
And the Devil’s knocking on my door
But I’m already gone