The New Timer

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