Look Down That Lonesome Road

Tim O'Brien

Key of E · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

E                                                A
Down where that Southern rail crosses the Yellow Dog
E                          B         E
I met an old auctioneer, I heard his monologue
E                                        A
He said I got horses, I got mules, I got sheep
E                            B              E
Some I want to sell boys and some I want to keep

Verse 2

B            E           B              E
Says I got a tale or two that I need to tell
B        E             B               E
Sit down beside me and rest yourself a spell
B            E                  B       E
I've lived a good long life and I've no regrets
B              E     B        E
Let me tell my story before I forget.

Verse 3

E                                              A
Look down that lonesome road before you travel on
E                        B                E
I hate to say goodbye so I'll just say so long

Verse 4

See the way that bay horse rides, seems just like a sin
That horse is broke in two, he lost his couplin' pin
Yonder there's a man a comin', bless his poor heart son
His head's all empty, his bread is just not done.

Verse 5

Look at that old mule there, the one with one lamp lit
He's half blind but there's work in that mule yet
He'll pull a heavy load boy, I know him well
They never did give that mule no back up bell

Verse 6

Chorus then solos

Verse 7

They say whiskey slows you down and clouds up your thinkin'
As long as they make whiskey I'd say we'll keep on drinkin'
As long as life keeps hitting hard a drink will help you take it
As long as we drink whiskey they'll continue to make it.

Verse 8

Some folks have to slow down if they're maimed or lame.
Other folks keep movin', keep rockin' on the same.
I walk like an old fox - shake my big old tail
Even though there's a hell hound he's sniffin' on my trail.

Verse 9

Chorus then solos
Just kick this old dog and make real sure he's dead,
Then go find another dog, don't you hang your little head.
There's gonna be a lot of livin', after I am gone;
I'll leave a little for you son come get your share done.

Verse 10

Chorus (2)