Lyrics: Nehemiah James

i seen a heavy-headed crow
big enough to break my neck
i seen a young old man learn anew the gift of fire
in the belly of an old train wreck

oh, and he said he'd rather be the devil
but i never could make him explain
i'll leave the dead to the cypress trees
i'd rather be nehemiah james

the sky's been boilin' like a black kettle
a cloud's belly threatenin' to break
i seen a fragile young girl waist deep in the mud
prayin' over a wheelchair in the lake

oh, and he said he'd rather be the devil
and the sun went and came up lame
i'll leave the dead to the cypress trees
i'd rather be nehemiah james

i seen somethin' goin' on on the corner
i seen a shadow lie down flat
i seen a bullet go in just over the brim
and come out the other side of the hat

oh, and he said he'd rather be the devil
and in the distance, a whistlin' train
i'll leave the dead to the cypress trees
i'd rather be nehemiah james

the lord gives back what he kills off
a king passes his wealth down
a plant bleeds green in a false spring
and a man bleeds red year 'round

oh, and he said he'd rather be the devil
and the moon was on the wane
i'll leave the dead to the cypress trees
i'd rather be nehemiah james