Casey's Last Ride

(Kris Kristofferson)



Casey joins the hollow sound

Of silent people walkin' down

The stairway to the subway

In the shadows down below.



Following their footsteps

Through the neon darkened corridors

Of silent desperation

Never speaking to a soul.



The poison air he's breathing

Has the dirty smell of dyin'

'Cause it's never seen the sunshine

And it's never felt the rain.



Casey minds the arrows

And ignores the fatal echoes

Of the clicking of the turn stops

And the rattle of his chains.



Oh, she said, Casey it's been

So long since I've seen you

Here she said just a kiss

To make a body smile.



See she said I've put on

New stocking just to please you

Lord, she said. Casey

Can you only stay a while?



--- Instrumental ---



Casey leaves the underground

And stops inside the Golden Crown

For something wet

To wipe away the chill that's in his bones.



Seeing his reflection

In the lives of all the lonely men

Who reach for anything they can

To keep from goin' home.



Standing in the corner

Casey drinks his final bitter

Never glancing in the mirror

At the people passing by.



Then he stumbles as he's leavin'

And he wonders if the reason

Is the beer that's in his belly

Or the tear that's in his eye.



Oh, she said, I suppose

You seldom think about me

Now she said, now

That you've a family of your own.



Still she said it's

So blessed good to feel your body

Lord, she said, Casey

It's a shame to be alone. hmm...