Blind Willie McTell

I've seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying, "This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To Jerusalem."
I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell

Well, I heard the hoot owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above the barren trees
Were his only audience
And them charcoal gypsy maidens
They can strut their feathers well
But nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell

I saw them big plantations burning
I hear the cracking of the whips
I smell that sweet magnolia blooming
And I see the ghosts of slavery ships
And I can hear them tribes a-moaning
I hear the undertaker's bell
Nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell

There's a woman by the fire
With some fine young handsome man
He's dressed up like a squire
Bootlegged 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 seeds
Seem to be all that there is
And as I'm gazing out my window
Of this old St. James Hotel
I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell