Judgment Day

I was born just out of town

and I never could get in

So I turned to traveling 'round

where the nights fade and the days begin

They called me a hobo

but I never took that name

And they called me a pilgrim

but I was not to blame

As I wandered through the tall pines and the clay

trying to put a hurry-up on Judgment Day

They jailed me in St. Louis

'cause I was easy prey

And everyone was happy

to go home early that day

Till it was just me and my cellmate

staring eye to eye

And then he started laughing, saying,

"Let me guess, you're not the guy."

He offered me a cigarette

As I reached he pulled away

Saying, "You never get a last request

until it's Judgment Day."

Her eyes they were flawed diamonds

She said, "That's the price of fame

Where all the girls are beautiful

All the women look the same

And all the men come courting me

because I'm the final one

And they give their names so quietly

just like you might've done

And names are just the final thing

a man must give away

And you'll pass yours on so willingly

when it comes Judgment Day"

Well, I heard her sing a melody

from a window in the jail

And I knew the day I broke out

she'd cover up my trail

Expecting nothing more

than the name I tried to toss

Staring into my heart with the eyes

of St. John of the Cross

Wondering if I'd return again

but it don't work out that way

Once you've turned your back and the rope goes slack

around Judgment Day

It was long out on the Great Plains

with nowhere left to go

The road was full of nothing

and the sky was full of snow

I've seen this road before

in the sun and rain and wind

But I don't need it anymore

Let that be my only sin

For whatever the next motel costs

I'll be glad to pay

And I'll hide out till I hear that song

that calls me Judgment Day