[Verse 1] My parents raised me tenderly I was their only son My mind got mixed with rambling When I was all so young And I left my home the first time When I was twelve and one I'm a long time a-comin', Maw An' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 2] On the western side of Texas On the Texas plains I tried to find a job o' work But they said l's young of age My eyes they burned when I heard “Go home where you belong!” I'm a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 3] I remember when I's rambling Around with the carnival trains Different towns, different people Somehow they're all the same I remember children's faces best I remember traveling on I'm a long time a-comin' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 4] I once loved a fair young maid An' I ain't too big to tell If she broke my heart a single time She broke it ten or twelve I walked and talked all by myself I did not tell no one I'm a long time a-comin', babe An' I'll be a long time gone
[Verse 5] Many times by the highwayside I tried to flag a ride With bloodshot eyes and gritting teeth I'd watch the cars roll by The empty air hung in my head I's thinkin' all day long I'm a long time a-comin' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 6] You might see me on your crossroads When I'm a-pa**in' through Remember me how you wished to As I'm a-Driftin' from your view I ain't got the time to think about it I got too much to get done Well, I'm a long time coming An' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 7] If I can't help somebody With a word or song If I can't show somebody They are traveling' wrong But I know I ain't no prophet An' I ain't no prophet's son I'm just a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone [Verse 8] So you can have your beauty It's skin deep and it only lies And you can have your youth It'll rot before your eyes Just give to me my gravestone With it clearly carved upon: “I's a long time a-comin' An' I'll be a long time gone”