C G F C
[Verse]
C
The house burned down on a stormy night
G
And they never did find out why
F
I just stood alone 'neath the silver maple
C
Trying to keep my cigarettes dry
G
Waiting for the firemen, I couldn't save a thing
F
Deep inside my home, above the roar of the flame
C
I swore I heard the telephone ring
[Verse]
C
The rain let up and we worked till dawn
G
Just me and the firemen
F
And when they cut the power and the lines went dead
C
I never got called again
Am G
The house was gone by the break of dawn
Em F
The air was cold and grey
C G
I just set off down the road alone
F C
But it's always gone that way
[Verse]
G
So young, so long ago
C G
I thought I heard that train
F
Calling out my name
C
At least it sounded like my name
C
Just a boy with no direction
G
I left my home behind
F
And the sky changed colour
C
Once I crossed that town line
[Verse]
C
My good friends did the best they could
G
To hold me down with them
F
But I took one look and I packed my bags
C
And I slipped around the bend
Am G
The lessons came from left and right
Em F
The first night out I found
C G
The laws were not meant to protect
F C G F C
The man from out of town
[Verse]
C
There was a cold street on the sea coast
G
I once tried to call home
F
Where the church steeples rose up
C
Above the town like broken bones
Drinking whiskey with the Catholic priest
G
One night in the rectory hall
F
He just shook his head and said
C
"You never know when Jesus calls"
Am G
Then his eyes got wide and he looked around
Em F
But he just could not explain
C G
It was like he heard the sound of Jesus' laugh
F C G F C G C G F C
The way I heard that train
[Verse]
C
Now the years and the faces blur
G
Still I can remember some
F
There were women washing windows
C
There were salesgirls chewing gum
There were curses in the shapes of old men
G
Kneeling in the pews
F
There are things in this life
C
A man just does not get to choose
[Verse]
C
So, finally I found a home
G
In a tiny mountain town
F
Just a simple place to keep me dry
C
When the rain came pouring down
Am G
A place to sleep, the rent was cheap
Em F
Brick walls and a new slate roof
C G
Ah, the landlord said, "You'll be safe here
F C G F C G C G F C
This house is fireproof"
