Baltimore

I know I've seen this place before

Lord can't you hear me screaming

As a young man long ago

When I was twenty-one

And I know I've seen this house before

With people all around it

With my baby cousin on the floor

And Mama in the kitchen

And a woman lies upon the bed

I think she must be dying

And I recall the words she said

As she began to cry

She begged son please don't go to Baltimore

And leave me where I'm lying

For you will son but I no more

Walk among the living

And if you go to Baltimore

Then I'll see you in heaven

And as you breathe I'll breathe no more

And I will surely die

Well you know I went to Baltimore

So confident and wise

And as I breathed she breathed no more

And she did surely die

And now as I lie upon my bed

I pray I must be dreaming

With faces all around my head

And strangers at my door

And a woman's voice calls out to me

Bring unto you your children

And let them see these things you see

And hear the words you say

Beg them to go to Baltimore

And leave you where you're lying

Just like you did one time before

When you were twenty-one

And if they go to Baltimore

Then I'll see you in heaven

And as they breathe you'll breathe no more

And you will surely die

And I know I've seen this place before

Lord can't you hear me screaming

And if I should awaken Lord

Then answer me my plea

What makes the sun set in the west

And birds fly in the sky

And what makes a woman beat her breast

When her children start to cry

And what makes those little ones grow old

To find eternity

And what takes the wise

And leaves behind

A foolish one like me