My parents raised me tenderly,
My mind got mixed with rambling
I left my home the first time
when I was twelve and one
It's been a long time coming
I'm gonna be a long time gone
On the western side of Texas,
out on the western plains
I was looking for a job or work,
they said I was young of age
Well my eyes, they burned when I heard,
I've been a long time coming,
I'm gonna be a long time gone
Many times by the highway side,
With bloodshot eyes and grittin' teeth,
I watched the cars roll by
With the empty air hung in my head,
I was dreamin' all day long
I've been a long time comin'
I'm gonna be a long time gone
I'm gonna be a long time gone
Well, I remember ramblin' round
Different hands and different people
Somehow they're all the same
I remember children's faces
I've been a long time comin'
I'm gonna be a long time gone
Well, I once loved a fairy young maid
And I ain't too big to tell
If she broke my heart a single time
She broke a ton or twelve
Well, I walked and talked all alone
I've been a long time coming,
I'm gonna be a long time gone
So if you see me on your streets
Remember me the way you wish
as I go driftin' from your view
Ain't got time to think about it,
I got too much to get done
I've been a long time coming,
I'm gonna be a long time gone
I'm gonna be a long time gone
Now you can have your beauty,
it's skin deep, it only lies
And you can have your youth
and watch it right before your eyes
Just gave to me my tombstone
when it clearly carved apart
It was a long time coming
It's gonna be a long time coming
