[Verse 1]
Born by the river
Left in the reeds
Mama bled out
While the coyotes screamed
They said, “Child, forget”
But the river kept the sound
Of three drunk men
And a pistol on the ground
[Chorus]
He’s a ghost in the dark, ridin’ slow
Name on a whisper, nobody ever knows
If you hear spurs drag on an empty road
Then the sins you buried ’bout to drag your soul
He’s a ghost in the dark, cold as stone
Huntin’ down the men that stole his home
You can change your face, you can change your name
But you can’t outgun that orphan’s pain
[Verse 2]
Years turned his heart
Hard as dry clay
Learned how to track
What tried to slip away
He don’t wear a star
Just a cut-down coat
A black hat low
And a list in his throat
[Chorus]
He’s a ghost in the dark, ridin’ slow
Name on a whisper, nobody ever knows
If you hear spurs drag on an empty road
Then the sins you buried ’bout to drag your soul
He’s a ghost in the dark, cold as stone
Huntin’ down the men that stole his home
You can change your face, you can change your name
But you can’t outgun that orphan’s pain
[Bridge]
First one he found
Was already grey
Beggin’ in the dust
Tryin’ to pray it away
He said, “I got three bullets
And one’s for you
Two for the memory
You never lived through” (hey)
[Chorus]
He’s a ghost in the dark, ridin’ slow
Name on a whisper, nobody ever knows
If you hear spurs drag on an empty road
Then the sins you buried ’bout to drag your soul
He’s a ghost in the dark, cold as stone
Huntin’ down the men that stole his home
You can change your town, you can change your trade
But you can’t outrun the boy you made