The New Timer

He rode the rails since the great depression Fifty years out on the skids He said you don't cross nobody You'll be all right out here kid Left my family in Pennsylvania Searchin' for work I hit the road I met Frank in east Texas In a freight yard blown through with snow From New Mexico to Colorado California to the sea Frank he showed me the ropes, sir Just till I could get back on my feet I hoed sugar beets outside of Firebaugh I picked the peaches from the Marysville tree They bunked us in a barn just like animals Me and a hundred others just like me We split up come the springtime I never seen Frank again 'Cept one rainy night he blew by me on grainer Shouted my name and disappeared in the rain and the wind They found him shot dead outside Stockton His body lyin' on a muddy hill Nothin' taken, nothin' stolen Somebody killed him just to kill Late that summer I was rollin' through the plains of Texas A vision passed before my eyes A small house sittin' trackside With the glow of the saviours beautiful light A woman stood cookin' in the kitchen Kid sat at the table with his old man Now I wonder does my son miss me Does he wonder where I am Tonight I pick my campsite carefully Outside the Sacramento Yard Gather some wood and light a fire In the early winter dark Wind whistling cold I pull my coat around me Make some coffee and stare out into the black night I lie awake, I lie awake sir With my machete by my side My Jesus your gracious love and mercy Tonight I'm sorry could not fill my heart Like one good rifle And the name of who I ought to kill