(i had a few odds and ends type jobs around town for a while, sweepin' up at the barber's shop, shinin' shoes outside the bus station. but they only lasted weeks at a time, seemed even though i had lived here my whole life, i was just a stranger. i would visit my momma every once in a while, break down wishin' i was laid up next to her. i tried and i tried not to let life back home get the best of me, but it was so goddamned hard. with what little money saved, i usually spent on drinkin' and then payin' to sleep in a room above the bar. wasn't too bad, a lot of men like me that came home from the war with nothin', just a room and a bed was enough. one of the men livin' up there had his daddy's old guitar, and it was just about the prettiest thing i had seen. i played one years back that belonged to one of the boys on me ma's old block, and he taught me some slide and some pickin', but nothin' much. this man livin' up there with me, could he ever play. he'd stay up late in the night just pickin' his blues away, and boy did we have them blues.)
I'm wanderin' these streets alone, they don't feel like home.
This once hallowed ground feels like a ghost town now.
I'm on the street corner every day, and at night I drink it away.
This flask that saved my life, might be the death of me.
Ain't no man in this city will take a chance on me.
The color of my skin is all they see.
I was a hero when I came home, now no one seems to know.
And this medal that I received, it means nothin' to me.
I keep readin' my momma's prayers, but I find nothin' there that makes any sense to me.
Her god is no more than a thief.
I'm gonna pack up. I'm gonna leave town on a train car headin' north bound.
I'm gonna leave, x2
With my lost hope, I'm gonna get out. Carry burdens, carry my guilt.
I'm gonna leave. I carry burdens, burdens, burdens, my burden of watchin' good men fall and brave boys die. hearin' soldiers sob in the dead of night..
Every poor yound soul that died in vain, every soldier lost in this country's name.
My guilt, and my shame.
No pride and no name, just burdens.
