Welfare Line

The Highwaymen · Other Songs - The Highwaymen

Well now, boys I've been to Bethlehem

Rode there on a big steam train

Lost two fenders in the steel wheels

And I ain't goin' back again

I fought for my country

Lord knows I did my best

Crawlin' cross some foreign field

They pinned a ribbon to my chest

So pass around the bottle boys

Let's talk about old times

Night's rollin' in, it's cold as sin

Here on the welfare line

Served on a Georgia road gang

Couldn't pay the debts I owed

'Cos I ain't made of silver

And I ain't ever seen no gold

I still remember Rachel

Soft as a velvet gown

They laid her in a pauper's grave

On the other side of town

So pass around the bottle boys

Let's talk about old times

Night's rollin' in, it's cold as sin

Here on the welfare line

Now some folks are born to money

You know I wish 'em well

If the devil should ever want my soul

I swear I'd never sell

So pass around the bottle boys

Let's talk about old times

Night's rollin' in, it's cold as sin

Here on the welfare line

Welfare Line

The Highwaymen's 'Welfare Line' stands as a poignant exploration of the American working class, delivered with the band's signature blend of country rock and social commentary. Recorded during the late 1960s, the track captures the weary resilience of laborers navigating economic hardship, a theme central to the group's broader catalog of socially conscious songs. The Highwaymen, known for their harmonies and storytelling prowess, utilize this recording to highlight the struggles of the poor without resorting to didactic preaching. The song's enduring appeal lies in its authentic portrayal of daily life and its reflection of the era's shifting cultural landscape, making it a significant piece in the band's legacy of addressing real-world issues through music.