Jimmy Sparks

Jimmy Sparks went into bars and opened up his mouth

Said some things to wounded men that they could not allow

When it came to talking, he was always on the run

Everyone knew what the man had done

Oh, he'll take you for a ride

Jimmy believed in the American way

A prison guard, he worked hard and made the minimum wage

He found his freedom lockin' men in a cage, oh

Jimmy loved Bonnie and he fathered a kid

A baby boy, but the mother had other reasons to live

She left the baby with a note on the bed, oh

It was a struggle just to cover the rent

His jail cut hours and now his little baby was sick

He needed money and he needed it quick

It was 3 AM

Oh, my love, oh, my love

Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

Jim woke his son and buckled him in the car

They drove an hour from town and found a gambling hall

The waitress babysat the boy at the bar, oh no

After an hour, Jimmy doubled his cash

He took his kid and his winnings as the dealer just laughed

He said they leave, but then they always come back, that's a fact

Out on the road, they caught a stranger in the lights

His thumb was up and his son asked if the man was alright

Jim said you never give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them

It was 3 AM

Oh, my love, oh, my love

Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

20 years gone and now the boy is a man

Broke Jimmy's habits, got in mountains and mountains of debt

And now the sharks are coming back to collect, oh-oh

They stripped his jewelry and the boots off Jim's feet

They kick him out of the car and say we'll give you a week

Eight miles from home and only 18 degrees

It was 3 AM

Oh, my love, oh, my love

Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?

Now Jimmy's son is trying to make his way home

His graveyard shift had ended and it was starting to snow

He sees an old man walking barefoot alone

It was 3 AM

His old man waved his hands with tears in his eyes

But Jimmy's son just sped up and remembered daddy's advice

No, you don't ever give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them

'Cause it's me or him

It was 3 AM, 3 AM