Whenever Kindness Fails Lyrics - Robert Earl Keen

I crossed the desert on a dining car 

In the spring of ninety-one 

I met some people drinking at the bar 

They were laughing having fun 

I told 'em that I hadn't heard the joke 

That was so hilarious 

They said that I was just a dumb cowpoke 

I didn't want to make a fuss 

So I shot 'em down 

One by one 

Then I left 'em 'long the rails 

I use my gun 

Whenever kindness fails 

The moon was in the sign of Scorpio 

The sun was at my back 

I didn't know how far the train would go 

Until the law would find my track 

I saw the brakeman and the engineer 

Drinking wine and eating brie 

I asked 'em who would brake and who would steer 

They started pointing back at me 

So I shot 'em down 

One by one 

Then I left 'em 'long the rails 

I use my gun 

Whenever kindness fails 

I only have a moment to explain 

Just a chance to let you know 

When it's time for you to board the train 

There are two ways you can go 

You can ride the wheels into the sun 

Feel the wind upon your face 

Or you can laugh into a loaded gun 

and you'll likely lose your place 

So I shot 'em down 

One by one 

Then I left 'em 'long the rails 

I use my gun 

Whenever kindness fails 

Yeah I shot 'em down 

One by one 

Then I left 'em 'long the rails 

When I use my gun 

That lonesome whistle wails