Dust & Blood

I came ridin’ out the valley low,

Boots still stained from years ago.

Left my name in a lawman's file,

Buried my sins in the desert mile.

The sun don’t set the same for me—

It burns like fire eternally.

Dust and blood on my leather coat,

A curse on my back like a hangman's rope.

I hear the hounds in the midnight flood,

Trackin' my soul through dust and blood.

Met a preacher by the canyon gate,

He said, “Son, redemption’s late.”

I laughed and tossed him a silver coin,

Then felt the cold steel in my groin.

Now I ride but I ain't alive—

Just a ghost that fate won't let die.

Dust and blood on my leather coat,

A curse on my back like a hangman's rope.

I hear the hounds in the midnight flood,

Trackin' my soul through dust and blood.

The wind tells tales I tried to drown,

Of broken men and burnin’ towns.

No prayer, no grave, no holy flood

Can wash away this dust and blood.

Dust and blood is all I’ve known,

A hollow heart, a crooked throne...