Thirsty Boots Lyrics - Phil Ochs

You've long been on the open road, 

You've been sleeping in the rain, 

From dirty words and muddy cells 

Your clothes are smeared and stained, 

But the dirty words and muddy cells 

Will soon be hid in shame 

So only stop to rest yourself 

Till you are off again 

Chorus: 

So take off your thirsty boots 

And stay for a while, 

Your feet are hot and weary, 

From a dusty mile, 

And maybe I can make you laugh, 

Maybe I can try, 

I'm just looking for the evening, 

The morning in your eye. 

So tell me of the ones you saw 

As far as you could see 

Across the plain from field to town 

A-marching to be free 

And of the rusted prison gates 

That tumbled by degree 

Like laughing children, one by one, 

They look like you and me 

Chorus. 

I know you are no stranger down 

The crooked rainbow trails 

From dancing cliff-edged shattered sills 

Of slandered, shackled jails 

For the voices drift up from below 

As the walls they're being scaled 

Yes, all of this, and more, my friend, 

Your song shall not be failed. 

Chorus. 

Yes, you've long been on the open road 

You've been sleeping in the rain 

From dirty words and muddy cells 

Your clothes are smeared and stained 

But the dirty words, the muddy cells, 

They'll soon be judged insane 

So only stop to rest yourself 

'til you are off again. 

Chorus.