Blind Willie McTell (Take 5) [Infidels Outtake]

[Verse 1]

I seen the arrow on the doorpost

Saying, “This land is condemned

All the way from New Orleans

To new Jerusalem”

Well, I traveled through East Texas

Where many martyrs fell

And I can tell you one thing

Nobody can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell

[Verse 2]

Mmm, I heard that hoot owl singin'

As they were taking down the tents

The stars above the barren trees

Was his only audience

Them charcoal gypsy maidens

Can strut their feathers well

But nobody can sing thе blues

Like Blind Willie McTеll

[Verse 3]

There’s a woman by the river

With some fine young handsome man

He’s dressed up like a squire

Bootlegged whiskey in his hand

Some of them died in the battle

Some of them survived as well

And I can tell you one thing

Nobody can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell

[Verse 3]

See them big plantations burning

Hear the cracking of the whips

Smell that sweet magnolia blooming

See the ghosts of slavery ships

I can hear them tribes a-moaning

Hear that undertaker’s bell

But I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell

[Verse 4]

There’s a woman by the river

With some fine young handsome man

He’s dressed up like a squire

Bootleg whiskey in his hand

There’s a chain gang on the highway

I can hear them rebels yell

And I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell

[Verse 5]

God is in His heaven

And we all want what’s His

But power and greed and corruptible seed

Seem to be all that there is

I’m gazing out the window

Of that old St. James Hotel

And I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell