I hit the road in a '52 Ford

A pack of matches

And a postcard on the dashboard

The sun was set

The gas gauge was low

And it was time to go



I met the girl at a juke joint on the fly

Needed a friend the day my mother died

Her place was hot and it smelled of sin

I guess when one life goes another begins



Hey now, what you gonna do?

Got a fiver in your pocket

And a switchblade in your boot

Hey now what you gonna say

To make it go away?



I found the city by the mark on the stamp

Studied it under the light of a hotel lamp

I found his work, I found their home

I waited until I knew she was alone

I didn't want the child to see life

I justified that it wounded my pride

My mind was set that no one could know

The girl had to go



Hey now, what you gonna do?

Got a fiver in your pocket

And a switchblade in your boot

Hey now what you gonna say

To make it go away?



Hey now, what you gonna do?

Got a fiver in your pocket

And a switchblade in your boot

Hey now what you gonna say

To make it go away?



Light stumbled in

Through a crack in the shades

Reflected off of the edge of my blade

As I reached for the girl

With the knife in my hand

I thought "I guess the kid deserves a chance"

Her man came in as I started to go

My last intentions; how could he know?

The blade sunk deep into my skin

I guess when one life goes another begins