|
I know i've seen this place before |
|
Lord can't you hear me screaming |
|
As a young man long ago |
|
When i was twenty-one |
|
And i know i've seen this house before |
|
With people all around it |
|
With my baby cousin on the floor |
|
And mama in the kitchen |
|
And a woman lies upon the bed |
|
I think she must be dying |
|
And i recall the words she said |
|
As she began to cry |
|
She begged son please don't go to baltimore |
|
And leave me where i'm lying |
|
For you will son but i no more |
|
Walk among the living |
|
And if you go to baltimore |
|
Then i'll see you in heaven |
|
And as you breathe i'll breathe no more |
|
And i will surely die |
|
Well you know i went to baltimore |
|
So confident and wise |
|
And as i breathed she breathed no more |
|
And she did surely die |
|
And now as i lie upon my bed |
|
I pray i must be dreaming |
|
With faces all around my head |
|
And strangers at my door |
|
And a woman's voice calls out to me |
|
Bring unto you your children |
|
And let them see these things you see |
|
And hear the words you say |
|
Beg them to go to baltimore |
|
And leave you where you're lying |
|
Just like you did one time before |
|
When you were twenty-one |
|
And if they go to baltimore |
|
Then i'll see you in heaven |
|
And as they breathe you'll breathe no more |
|
And you will surely die |
|
And i know i've seen this place before |
|
Lord can't you hear me screaming |
|
And if i should awaken lord |
|
Then answer me my plea |
|
What makes the sun set in the west |
|
And birds fly in the sky |
|
And what makes a woman beat her breast |
|
When her children start to cry |
|
And what makes those little ones grow old |
|
To find eternity |
|
And what takes the wise |
|
And leaves behind |
|
A foolish one like me |