Long Time Gone

My parents raised me tenderly

I was their only son

My mind got mixed with rambling

When I was all so young

And I left my home the first time

When I was twelve and one

I’m a long time a-comin’, Maw

An’ I’ll be a long time gone

On the western side of Texas

On the Texas plains

I tried to find a job o’ work

But they said l’s young of age

My eyes they burned when I heard

Go home where you belong!

I’m a long time a-comin’

An’ I’ll be a long time gone

I remember when I’s rambling

Around with the carnival trains

Different towns, different people

Somehow they’re all the same

I remember children’s faces best

I remember traveling on

I’m a long time a-comin’

I’ll be a long time gone

I once loved a fair young maid

An’ I ain’t too big to tell

If she broke my heart a single time

She broke it ten or twelve

I walked and talked all by myself

I did not tell no one

I’m a long time a-comin’, babe

An’ I’ll be a long time gone

Many times by the highwayside

I tried to flag a ride

With bloodshot eyes and gritting teeth

I’d watch the cars roll by

The empty air hung in my head

I’s thinkin’ all day long

I’m a long time a-comin’

I’ll be a long time gone

You might see me on your crossroads

When I’m a-passin’ through

Remember me how you wished to

As I’m a-Driftin’ from your view

I ain’t got the time to think about it

I got too much to get done

Well, I’m a long time coming

An’ I’ll be a long time gone

If I can’t help somebody

With a word or song

If I can’t show somebody

They are traveling’ wrong

But I know I ain’t no prophet

An’ I ain’t no prophet’s son

I’m just a long time a-comin’

An’ I’ll be a long time gone

So you can have your beauty

It’s skin deep and it only lies

And you can have your youth

It’ll rot before your eyes

Just give to me my gravestone

With it clearly carved upon

I’s a long time a-comin’

An’ I’ll be a long time gone