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

But Casey minds the arrows and ignores the fatal echoes

Of the clickin' of the turn stops and the rattle of his chains.



Oh, she said Casey it's been so long since I 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.



Casey leaves the underground and stops inside the Golden Crown

For something wet to wipe away the chill that's on his bones

Seeing his reflection in the lives of all the lonely men

Who reach for anything they can to keep from going 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...