Honest Abel, Old Red Tiger

I am an honest Abel, I've come to sympathize I stand for ideals my countrymen abide I work on through the evening, in the mornings do I rise To feed all Heaven's horses-upon them which I ride We build all our darkness on the backs of brutish men Though we try to deny the black blood on our hands We give all our thoughts to those caught beneath the rye But I won't lie I'll just ride I am an old red tiger, I've got thorns in my hands I turn from offered help and survive on what I can I spoke to four young gypsies, and they told me what I am An outlaw by nature who's void of a higher plan From town to town I go to see the changing country lives No one dare believes in God-for fear they'll be criticized I speak the Holy Word under clouds of falling rain I won't remain I'll just ride I am a tired warden, and this prison is my place No, the guards aren't my friends-to the inmates I relate They told me they found Jesus, they've surrendered to their fates They'll stand beneath the Firmament when the Shepherd calls their names But me I stand alone amongst that burning clump of sand And I'll write to my brother to proclaim, I'm just a man For everyone must know that someday he will die I can't deny I'll just ride