We made Oklahoma a little after 3

Randy, his brother Bob and my old GMC

We had some moonshine whiskey and some of Bob's homegrown

We were so messed up we didn't know if we were drunk or stoned Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail

Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head

They been kicked out of high school several years ago

For pushin' over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo Since then they've done their little dance right outside the law

Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas

And I don't know what possessed me to want to tag along

'Cause I was raised a Christian and I knew right from wrong Right or wrong, black or white

Cross the line you're gonna pay

In the dawn before the light

Live and die by the shades of gray We stole two Charolais heifers from Randy's sweetheart's paw

Sold them at the livestock sale outside of Wichita

We got 900 dollars and never did suspect

The world of hurt we'd be in once we cashed that check Next day we heard the story on the local radio

We made our plans that very night to go to Mexico

And I swear we would have made it if it wasn't for that shine

I got sick about the time we crossed that Kansas line Right or wrong, black or white

Cross the line you're gonna pay

In the dawn before the light

Live and die by the shades of gray I was layin' in the bar ditch prayin' I would die

When a light come on above us and a voice come from the sky

A half a dozen unmarked cars came screeching to a halt

They grabbed Bob, he started screamin' it was all my fault There were men and dogs and helicopter buzzin' all around

They had the brothers on the pickup hood and me down on the ground

Bob flew all to pieces but Randy he held tight

When a black man in a suit and tie stepped out into the light

He told his men to turn us loose they put down their guns

He said these are just some sorry kids, they ain't the ones Right or wrong, black or white

Cross the line you're gonna pay

In the dawn before the light

Live and die by the shades of gray So they left us by the roadside down hearted and alone

Randy got behind the wheel said boys I'm going home

So we turned around to face our fate hung over but alive

On that mornin' in late April, Oklahoma, 1995 Right or wrong, black or white

Cross the line you're gonna pay

In the dawn before the light

Live and die by the shades of gray

Live and die by the shades of gray

Live and die by the shades of gray