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