I have been down in the valley of tears

I have stood on the highest peak

For the best part of a week

Battered and bruised I had pulled myself through

Every seen I would never repeat



I have hung out with the beasts of the field

And with them I've spent many long nights

Got in some awful bad fights

I came unstuck, I was down on my luck

And I'm still gettin' over the bites



Sounds of my own heart breaking, not to mention my mind

Nothing can hurt me, a small voice said into a mike, take a hike

No one will lead me astray anymore

You are welcome to try if you like

Welcome to try if you like



I had been down in the valley so long

I had almost run out of respect

Got in right up to my neck

Battered but wise to the truth and the lies

That no layman would ever accept



Reaching for all of the good things in life

Can provide some suprises I guess

It may be the way we are dressed

These threads that you see mean so little to me

They don't count when they put us to rest



Late about dusk I would start to feel

One more day had been lost

Nothing I'd say ever seemed to convey

How I felt with that I have dealt

All of my children are healthy and sane

They may say anything that they like

Say anything that they like



Sitting alone in the Blue Ridge Saloon

Is no place for an angel to be

Ladies make faces at me

Battered but clean I had pulled my machine

Off the road, I was too tired to see



Wearing a smile like the rim of a cup

I will get down to my final point

There is no one left to annoint

And the sowing of seed was it good, yes indeed

It thrills me but only to a point



Use your imagination, try every trick in the book

My mother said with the life that I led I'd be broke

Holy smoke

All of my children are healthy and wise

They may say anything that they like

If they want ta preach and are not within reach

They may say anything that they like

Say anything that they like