Ainʼt Talkinʼ

[Verse 1]

As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden

The wounded flowers were danglin' from the vine

I was passin' by yon cool and crystal fountain

Someone hit me from behind

[Verse 2]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

Through this weary world of woe

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

No one on earth would ever know

[Verse 3]

They say prayer has the power to help

So pray from the mother

In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell

I'm a'tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others

But oh, mother, things ain't goin' well

[Verse 4]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

I'll burn that bridge before you can cross

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

They'll be no mercy for ya' once you've lost

[Verse 5]

Now I'm all worn down by weepin'

My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry

If I catch my opponents ever sleepin'

I'll just slaughter them where they lie

[Verse 6]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

Through the world mysterious and vague

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

Walkin' a'through the cities of the plague

[Verse 7]

Well, the whole world is filled with speculation

The whole wide world which people say is round

They will tear your mind away from contemplation

They will jump on your misfortune when you're down

[Verse 8]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

Someday you'll be glad to have me around

[Verse 9]

They will crush you with wealth and power

Every wakin' moment you could crack

I'll make the most of one last extra hour

I'll avenge my father's death an' I'll step back

[Verse 10]

Ain't talkin', just walkin'

Hand me down my walkin' cane

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

Got to get ya' out of my miserable brain

[Verse 11]

All o' my loyal and much-loved companions

They approve of me and share my code

I practice a faith that's been long abandoned

Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road

[Verse 12]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

My mule is sick, my horse is blind

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

Thinkin' ‘bout that gal I left behind

[Verse 13]

Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin'

Fame and honor never seem to fade

The fire gone out but the light is never dyin'

Who says I can't get heavenly aid?

[Verse 14]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

Carryin' a dead man's shield

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

A'walkin' a'with a toothache in my heel

[Verse 15]

The sufferin' is unending

Every nook and cranny has its tears

I'm a'not playin', I'm not pretending

I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears

[Verse 16]

Ain't talkin', just a'walkin'

Walkin' ever since the other night

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

Walkin' ‘til I'ma clean outta sight

[Verse 17]

As I walked out in the mystic garden

On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn

"Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon

There's no one here, the gardener is gone"

[Verse 18]

Ain't talkin', a'just a'walkin'

Up the road around the bend

Heart burnin', still yearnin'

In the last outback, at the world's end