Robbie Robertson, Van Morrison - I Hear You Paint Houses lyrics

Shall we take a little spin?
To the dark side of town
You went up against the mob
And now the curtain's comin' down

They ordered me to make the hit
And there will be dust and bones
They want him buried in the ground
Where he never will be found

I hear you paint houses
You're a gun for hire
I hear you paint houses down to the wire
I hear you paint houses
Was all they had to say
(Was all I had to say)
Some call it street justice (Street justice)
When they carry you away

Hope my father up above
Will forgive me for my sins
He raised me up to know better
But now the walls are closin' in

I got caught up in this wicked world
But it is the life I chose
When you fall into the snake pit
Where the emperor has your clothes

I hear you paint houses
You're a gun for hire
I hear you paint houses
Right down to the wire

I hear you paint houses
Was all they had to say
(Was all I had to say)
Some call it street justice (Street justice)
When they carry you away

I trusted him, he trusted me
One of us made a big mistake
When you cross the big boss
You ain't gonna catch a break, no

I got a bullet with your name on it
And I've got a job to do
The results ain't too pretty
Puttin' the cement in your shoes

I hear you paint houses a gun for hire
I hear you paint houses
(I hear you paint houses)
Right down to the wire
(Right down to the wire)

I hear you paint houses (Houses)
Was all they had to say
(Was all I had to say)
Some call it street justice
(Call it street justice)
When they carry you away
(When they carry you away)