Seen the arrow on the door post

Saying, "This land is condemned

All the way from New Orleans to Jerusalem"

I traveled through East Texas where many martyrs fell

And I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell Well, I heard that hoot owl singing

As they were taking down the tents

The stars above the barren trees

Were his only audience Them charcoal gypsy maidens

Can strut their feathers well

But nobody can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell See them big plantations burning

Hear the cracking of the whips

Smell that sweet magnolia blooming

See the ghosts of slavery ships I can hear them tribes moaning

Hear the undertaker's bell

Nobody can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell There's a woman by the river

With some fine young handsome man

He's dressed up like a squire

Bootlegged whiskey in his hand There's a chain gang on the highway

I can hear them rebels yell

And I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell Well, God is in Heaven

And we all want what's His

But power and greed and corruptible seed

Seem to be all that there is I'm gazing out the window

Of the St. James Hotel

And I know no one can sing the blues

Like Blind Willie McTell