C Em
In a heavy rain standing
F C
Off an old county road
Am G F C
'Side a high rolling river so swift
C Em
There was a hitchhiking stranger
F C
Quite pale from the cold
Am G F C
On a cane, tryin' to thumb down a lift
C Em
Well, I pulled up beside him
F C
And let my window on down
Am F G
To the rain and the bone-chilling wind
C Em
Said "You look awful worn
F C
In this late-winter storm
Am G F C
Which way are you headed, my friend?"
[Chorus 1]
F G F C
"Right up to the spotlight
Am F G
Drinkin' all that Coke and gin
C Em
And I'll be suit-wearin' man
F C
With gold in my hand
Am G F C
If today doesn't do me in"
[Interlude]
(same chords as verse)
[Verse 2]
C Em
Behind a gas station counter
F C
Moving crates full of things
Am G F C
That looked far too heavy for her
C Em
There stood a girl with a frown
F C
Said, "Let me just set these down
Am G F C
And I'll be right with you, sir"
C Em
I said, "No hurry here
F C
Take all the time that you want"
Am F G
She said, "A little time and you just wait and see
C Em
Oh, I'll be without a care
F C
When I finally get there"
Am G F C
I said, "Miss, tell me where might that be"
[Chorus 2]
F G F C
"Right up to the spotlight
Am F G
Drinkin' all that Coke and gin
C Em
And I'll be a dress-wearin' girl
F C
With the heels and the pearls
Am G F C
If today doesn't do me in
Am G F C
If today doesn't do me in"
[Verse 3]
C Em
Well, I got a head-full this morning
F C
Cuttin' out through the fog
Am G F C
You know, I can't help but wonder what's left
C Em
From every road that dead-ends
F C
To those old bitter men
Am G F C
Passing time on the old courthouse steps
C Em
And there's a feeling you get
F C
Not far from despair
Am F G
That sometimes sets in on your mind
C Em
But if it's all that you've got
F C
You still set the clock
Am G F C
And get up with a reason to climb
[Chorus 3]
F G F C
Right up to the spotlight
Am F G
Drinking all that coke and gin
C Em
And I'll leave these shadows behind
F C
For a new peace of mind
Am G F C
If today doesn't do me in
Am G F C
If today doesn't do me in
