tongue tied, said my prayers

20 years or more

seems like yesterday



hung your secrets from

the judas tree

watched 'em blow down

to the valley floor

blowin' home, watched

'em blow away



and what I fear is what we all fear

a fortune lost, a fortune gained

cursed by the power of the

blue head flame



got so drunk, I took things back

things I never said

things I never stole from anyone



dug in the clay, red on my hands

guilty to the elbows,

never mind my hands

kept my nose clean,

kept it that way for you



now what I fear, is what we all fear

a fortune lost, a fortune gained

cursed by the power of the

blue head flame



watched the freights from

the railroad tie

spun a rusty nail, and I closed

both eyes

as I told my tale, as the

freights went by



straw of pity on the

courthouse stairs

wait till doomsday, you said

wait for years

I couldn't wait that long,

I shoulda' killed for less



now what I fear, is what we all fear

a fortune lost, a fortune gained

cursed by the power of the

blue head flame



ya what I fear, is what we all fear

humble origins all betrayed

lost to the power, we were

lost to the flame



tongue tied, said my prayers

20 years or more

seems like yesterday



got so drunk, I took things back

things I never stole, things

I never said to anyone

I should'a killed for less