[Bob Dylan]
Seen the arrow on the door post
Sayin', this land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To Jerusalem.
I travelled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell.
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
Well I heard that hoot owl singin'
As they were takin' down the tents.
The stars above, the barren trees
Were his only audience.
Them charcoal gipsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
But nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
Seen them big plantations burning
Heard the cracking of the whips
Smelt that sweet magnolia bloomin'
Seen the ghosts of slavery ships.
I can hear them tribes a-moanin'
Hear that undertaker's bell.
But I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
There's a woman by the river
With some fine young handsome man.
He's all dressed up like a squire
Bootleg whiskey in his hand.
There's a chain gang on the highway
I can hear them rebels yell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
Well God is in His heaven
And we all want what's His.
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seems to be all that there is.
I'm gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.