The Ballad of Eugene Goode

My brother's hands, they came home bleeding
Because he worked them to the bone
At least that's what my mama told me, so I guess that's all we'll ever really know
Of course, I had my own suspicions
I could see it in his eyes
He was not afraid to take a life, and surely wouldn't hesitate to die
There was a coldness in his speech, and a fire on his breath
And the stories that he told us never did make too much sense
But I believed in every word of it and looked up toward the sky
Proclaiming there will never be a greater criminal than I
And there would be no greater criminal than I

As soon as I could bear it, I set out away from home
Down a long and lonesome road in search of whiskey, girls, and gold
I drank everything in sight, and I stole everything I saw
I broke hearts and necks and promises and lived outside the law
But I knew that in the end my older brother would approve
And I'd be one step closer to that shiny, golden truth
All my questions would be answered, all my skepticism cease
All I wanted was to rest in peace

When I was younger, there was a light behind my eyes
Back when I still believed in a place beyond the sky
That's not who I am anymore
But I still miss that feeling of flying

Now my hands are cold and bleeding, like my brother's were before
Wish I had listened to my father
Maybe then I wouldn't have to walk alone, a burden on this home
A thorn in the side of my family
But now there's no way for me to be redeemed

Now my hands are cold and bleeding
Like my brother's were before
Wish I had listened to my father
Maybe then I wouldn't have to walk alone

Here at my brother's graveside, I solemnly plea
To be the final poison apple on this broken family tree