Steve Earle - Meet Me in the Alleyway lyrics

I had a melancholy malady
Went to see the doctor and the doctor say
Too bad, nothing he could do
He knew a man in Louisiana
If I’m willing to pay
Laid my money on the barrelhead
Man behind the bar began to shimmy and shake
Can't lie, I reckoned I was dead
When he picked my money up
And I heard him say

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight, don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come running, the spirit's won't wait

Thirteen tiger teeth in my talisman
St john the Conqueror and a black cat bone
I've been seen walking with the guardians
Now I’m in the alley and I’m all alone
Can't run, can't hide from destiny
Knew this day was calling nearly
All of my life
Been done, ain't the only boy from Tennessee
To carve his name in cypress
With a jawbone knife

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight, don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come running, the spirit's won't wait

So you want to be the king of America
Say you want to know the oracle's mind
Say you want to see the
Marquesses of Mardi Gras
Dancing with the devil at the end of the line

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight, don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come running, the spirit's won't wait

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight, don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come running, the spirit's won't wait