The New Timer

[Verse 1] 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" [Verse 2] Left my family in Pennsylvania Searching for work, I hit the road I met Frank in East Texas In a freight yard blown through with snow [Verse 3] 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 [Verse 4] I hoed sugar beets outside of Firebaugh I picked the peaches from the Marysville trees They bunked us in a barn just like animals Me and a hundred others just like me [Verse 5] We split up come the springtime I never seen Frank again 'Cept one rainy night, he blew by me on a grainer Shouted my name and disappeared in the rain and wind [Verse 6] They found him shot dead outside of Stockton His body lying on a muddy hill Nothing taken, nothing stolen Somebody killing just to kill [Verse 7] Late that summer, I was rolling through the plains of Texas A vision passed before my eyes A small house sitting track-side With the glow of the savior's beautiful light [Verse 8] A woman stood cooking in the kitchen Kid sat at a table with his old man Now I wonder, does my son miss me? Does he wonder where I am? [Verse 9] Tonight I pick my campsite carefully Outside the Sacramento yard Gather some wood and light a fire In the early winter dark [Verse 10] Wind whistling cold, I pull my coat around me Heat some coffee and stare out into the black night I lie awake, I lie awake, sir With my machete by my side [Verse 11] 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