August Gray

My name is August Gray and I've robbed both great and small
but my fortune has been spent on running from the law
when I was just a baby I lost my mother and dad
ever since then I've been searching for what I never had
I never had a friend much longer than a day
for sure as the sun would set, I'd steal from them some way
I'd go from town to town and never leave a trail
for if I'd settle down I'd end up back in jail
now my body's giving way and my old legs are sore
they've locked me in this cell where I can run no more
by this time tomorrow I'll be on that gallows pole
Lord, please have mercy on my worthless soul

I wish I had my life to live again some way
I wish I could go back to that fateful day
I had a decent job and was tryin' to change my ways
then the boss said he was leaving for a couple a days
he handed me his keys and trusted me to stay
I gave to him my word and then he rode away
I wrestled with my conscience to keep my honor's deed
temptation was too heavy, I gave in to my greed
now my body's giving way and my old legs are sore
they've locked me in this cell where I can run no more
by this time tomorrow I'll be on that gallows pole
Lord, please have mercy on my worthless soul

words and music by Dan Whitaker
© 2004 Starkananda Music