[Verse 1]
He came in limpin' through the dust
Hat brim low and eyes like rust
Meaner than three devils swingin'
When the iron bell kept ringin'
Scar on his jaw, knife on his boot
Six gun holstered under soot
Folk said, "Boy, he's hard to kill"
He just spit and stood there still
[Pre-Chorus]
He'd been shot, he'd been burned
Left for dead and never learned
How to back down
How to fold
That old hard heart
Was forged in cold
[Chorus]
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Only thing that'd calm that storm
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Lord, she kept that outlaw warm
[Verse 2]
He'd cross the yard at Big Lou's
Where the smoke hung thick with bruise
Jukebox crying on a slow break
She'd shake that glass and make him wait
Blue dress pinned to a Friday night
Hair like smoke in pale porch light
She'd laugh like rain on red clay land
And he'd go quiet when she'd take his hand
[Pre-Chorus]
All his sins went soft and low
When she said, "Come on, let it go"
That wild bone
That iron jaw
Bowed down to her
And broke the law
[Chorus]
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Only thing that'd calm that storm
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Lord, she kept that outlaw warm
[Bridge]
Now he's old with a faded frame
Still gets fierce when they speak his name
But on his knee by the screen door swing
He keeps one picture tucked in a ring
If heaven's got a harder place
He'll ride up grinnin' to her face
'Cause hell can wait, and death can try
He was born to live for Patty Jane's eyes
[Final Chorus]
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Only thing that'd calm that storm
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Lord, she kept that outlaw warm
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
Even time can't dim that light
Patty Jane blue eyes
Patty Jane blue eyes
She's the only peace he ever knew tonight