Long Time Gone

My parents raised me tenderly I was their only one My mind got mixed with ramblin' When I was all so young I left my home the first time When I was twelve and one And I’m a long time a-comin', Ma I'll be a long time gone I remember when I’s ramblin' Around with the carnival trains Different towns, different people Somehow they're all the same I remember children's faces bеst I remember travеlin' on And I'm a long time a-comin' I'll be a long time gone Many times by the highwayside I tried to flag a ride With bloodshot eyes and gritting teeth I’d watch the cars roll by I’d banged my head against the wind And shouted at a stone And I'm a long time a-comin’ An' I'll be a long time gone You might see me on your crossroads When I am passin' through Remember me how you wish to As I’m a-driftin' from your view I ain't got the time to think about it I got too much to get done Well, I'm a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone If I can't help somebody With a word or song If I can't show somebody They are travelin' wrong But I know I ain't no prophet An' I ain't no prophet's son I'm just a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone So you can have your beauty It's skin deep and it only lies And you can have your youth It'll rot before your eyes Just give to me my gravestone With it clearly carved upon: “I's a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone” My parents raised me tenderly I was their only one My mind got mixed with ramblin' When I was all so young I left my home the first time When I was twelve and one And I'm a long time a-comin', Ma An' I'll be a long time gone I'm a long time a-comin', Ma An' I'll be a long time gone