In another life I was a singer
Spent half my days in a rocking chair
Spitting out the teeth of unchurched soldiers
I’d had for dinner the night before

And when my stomach was full with empty
I’d take my tune down off the porch
Singing, Dear Lord, won’t you take my Bobby
But the Dear Lord would not report

So I’d take my soul down to the river
And beg the Devil to hear my side
Singing, Devil, won’t you take my Bobby
The Good Lord’s too tired to fight

I didn’t care too much who took him
‘Long as he was no longer mine
‘Cause I was tired, too
From the weight of Bobby’s lies

In another life I was a singer
Spent half my days just biding time
Til I lost my voice in ’38
On the day that Bobby died

I didn’t care too much who took it
‘Long as he was finally gone
‘Cause Bobby was a wanderin’ player
Who left my voice without a song