East Texas

Pharaoh told his dream to Joseph

Joseph told Pharaoh the truth

I was in East Texas at the apex of a misspent youth

I was so warm and lonely

I was full of banquet beer

It was pretty good while it lasted

I had a pretty good couple years

Then I saw burned-out highways and semis in my dreams

Sleeping in a van towards New Orleans

Scorched farmland and corn with blighted ears

I knew that I was headed for some hard, hard years

On the wind the scent of Camels

On the ground the smell of leaves

We had a place to stay in Austin

We had beds and it was free

I was misquoting Faulkner and throwing up in the street

I said to no one moderation has never been my biggest strength

Then I saw burned-out highways and semis in my dreams

Sleeping in a van towards New Orleans

Scorched farmland and corn with blighted ears

I knew that I was headed for some hard, hard years

Clutches, radiator hoses, transistors, and minds

Pushed hard enough and anything will break if you give it time

After that was years of plenty eaten up by years of lean

And Joseph he said unto Pharaoh it was true what he'd seen in his dream