Well, I've sat 'neath the shade of an old apple orchard
And watched the big trucks rolling by
I've shared a grape soda with a man from Dakota
And seen a June bug in July
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down

Well, I've slept in your rains and I've slept in your 
hails
I've screamed out my hurt while I've slept in your 
jails
I've heard the lone wail of a slow eastbound freighter
Then wished I could die to go meet my saviour
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down

Well, I've been lead the ships that sail out of your 
harbors
I've shared silent thoughts with your children and 
barbers
I've sung to the stars while a jukebox was playin'
And fought back the tears that come when I am sayin'
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down

I've made love in your cities to the poor and the 
pretty
Then thought myself lucky and smart
And then ended up lonely with nothin' but only
A song and a half broken heart
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down

(final verse added by Shawn Phillips)

Well, I've played basketball through the hoop of a 
barrel
And struggled to learn how to swim
And once was a baby sometimes I think maybe
I only pretend I was him
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
And then some stranger will lower me down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, 
down, down