Crossed the desert in a dining car In the spring of '91 Met some people drinkin' at the bar They were laughin', havin' fun Told 'em that I hadn't heard the joke That was so hilarious They said that I was just a dumb cowpoke I didn't want to make a fuss So I shot them down, one by one And left them 'long the rails I only use my gun Whenever kindness fails Moon was in the sign of Scorpio The sun was at my back I didn't know how far the train would go Till the law would find my track Saw the brakeman and the engineer Drinking wine and eating brie I asked them who would brake and who would steer They started pointing back at me I only have a momment to explain Just a chance to let you know When it's time to board that train There are 2 ways you can go You can ride the wind into the sun Feel a cool wind on your face Or you can laugh into a loaded gun And you'll likely lose your place Yeah I shot them down, one by one And left them 'long the rails I only use my gun Whenever kindness fails I shot them down, one by one And left them 'long the rails When I use my gun That lonesome whistle wails