Free

Lyrics

This old world is such a killer
it’s hard to get out of it alive
The minute someone’s born’s the same
minute someone dies
The instant that you meet someone
who’s really in your heart’s
the same instant that this world will start to pull you apart

I saw people climbing mountains
I saw farmers cursing locusts
I heard all of the voices they told me to ignore
I quit drinking but was still hungover
I baked dough that wouldn’t rise
I stood in line downtown and was told I didn’t qualify
I drove cars without insurance
I played guitars out of tune
I made women want to love me forever
then walk out all too soon

but I don’t think I’ll worry
about how this world will punch you in the arm
If you can take the hard part with the charms

Put your fingers in my hand
We’re gonna hit that taco stand
Burn down all the honky tonks
when I get back to Austin, Deann

I can hear it in your voice
the way this tour is hitting you
We had so much time together
now I can’t be there it’s true
You wonder if it’s real love then why
you’re lonesome and sad
I sure don’t know the answer
but I still want you just as bad

I made vows and some were broken
I paid dues I couldn’t collect on
I made sandwiches for no one
I took gigs just for the ride
I studied Monk and Duke and Sun Ra
I worked for Elvis, Jesus, and Disney
I played weddings and bar mitzvahs
and sang gospel when folks died
I moved to Texas and couldn’t cut it
I started temping for the government
I wrote songs I thought were worth it
even when there was no reply

but I don’t think I’ll worry
about how this world will punch you in the arm
If you can take the hard part with the charms

Put your fingers in my hand
We’re gonna hit that taco stand
Burn down all the honky tonks
when I get back to Austin, Deann

I set sail inside a vacuum
I wrote songs that didn’t rhyme
I grew eggplants and hot peppers
and threw rods in Econolines
I kept hot sauce in my peacoat
I kept guitar picks in shoes
I drank Jamesons in coffee shops
that should never have had booze
I had a megaphone and soapbox
I blew horns that didn’t sound
I’ve been taken from the bill when the
bar owner’s son’s band came to town

but I don’t think I’ll worry
about how this world will punch you in the arm
If you can take the hard part with the charms

Put your fingers in my hand
We’re gonna hit that taco stand
Burn down all the honky tonks
when I get back to Austin, Deann