The Traveling Storm - Robert Earl Keen

In a year that is not now

From a place unknown

I travel on the mountain roads

Looking for someone

Sewn inside my vest, a letter

Tells me where and when

In my purse a sacred dagger

On my horse I run

Restless girl beside the water

Tending to a fire

Kissed a boy and then another

Suiting up for war

Heard a broken band of gypsies

Singing ancient songs

Gave all my silver to a beggar

Still he wanted more

Oh the town of stone and timber

Celebration reigned

No one there seems to remember

Why they carry on

Crowded 'round a man of marble

Speaking foreign tongues

There the stone began to crumble

And the crowd did moan

In the unforgiving morning

Caravans of shame

Turn south to the dry land highway

I turn to the sea

Like a snake so quick and deadly

Sleepless, coiled and cool

The one I seek is making ready

Waiting patiently

Pity not the weary traveler

He lives in his mind

He is friend of wind and weather

And from fire is born

Pity then the cool betrayer

Waiting patiently

No precaution made will save him

From the traveling storm