Blind Willie McTell

Seen the arrow on the door post saying "This land is condemned"

All the way from New Orleans to Jerusalem

I traveled through East Texas where many martyrs fell

And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell

Well, I heard the hoot-owl singing as they were taking down the tents

The stars above all the barren trees were his only audience

Yeah, them charcoal gypsy maidens can strut their feathers well

And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell

See them big plantations a-burning, can't you hear the cracking of the whips

Smell that sweet magnolia blossom blooming, see the ghosts of the slavery ships

Well, I can hear them tribes a-moanin', I can hear the undertaker's bell

And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell

There's a woman she's standing by the river, she is with some fine young handsome man

See he's all dressed just like a squire, he's got bootleg whiskey in his hand

Yeah, there's a chain-gang out on the highway and I can hear them rebels yell

And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell

God, oh God is in Heaven and we all want what is His

But the power and greed, the corruptible seed seems to be all that there is

Hey, hey, I'm a-gazing out the window of the St. James Hotel

And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell

Hey, hey, I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell