[Verse 1]

Lay down my head by the wayside

My worn out shoes

Quite why she went I can't decide

Yeah but I sure could use

[V2]

One plate of food steaming and hot

Clean linen ironed

On a fresh made bed but I ain't got

One salty dime, one salty dime

One salty dime

[V3 (enter Jolie Holland)]

Just close your eyes it won't take long

It won't hurt a bit

Telling myself I could be strong

Or some such brave bullshit

[V4]

Trucks are roaring by I'm a red ghost

In their tail light gleam

I'm a tumbleweed I'm a spit roast

Just turning in your flame

[Hook]

Oh my darling Kathleen

[Bridge]

Cars they sound like waves that are breaking

On some distant shore

I gazed so hard into the great aching sky

It seemed like I wasn't here no more

[V5]

That my rushing blood was a river

My eyes two stars

My blowing hair all a quiver

A whispering field of grass

[Outro w Hook]

That murmurs as you pass

Oh my darling Kathleen

That whispers out your name

Oh my darling Kathleen

Oh my darling Kathleen