I was born a poor poor man
And all my life I had hard workin' hands
But I sang my songs as I carried my load
'Cause I had a dream about Rain, Rainbow Road
Then one day my chance came along
A man heard me singin' and playin' my songs
He bought me fine clothes and paid the money I owed
And sent me, yes he did, on my way to Rain, Rainbow Road
But then one night a man with a knife
Pushed me until I had to take his life
Fast as fallin' all my friends were gone
And that old judge traded me a sentence, Lord, for a song, Lord now
Livin' with this ball and chain
And I had to wear a number, Lord, 'fore they even knew my name
Like my dreams I've grown old
But still we dream about Rain, Rainbow Road
Lord, we dream about you Rainbow Road
We dream about you Rainbow Road
We dream about you Rainbow Road