The federal express man was down on the driveway

Out of his step-van, cursing your name

It wasn't the first time you changed his side mirror

Into a mirrorless frame

And though I know you are guilty of nothing

Except for the strong will to live in the light

You throw your seeds on the wind like a thistle

Good night, box elder, good night

I sat down in town at the bar full of elbows

The man from the county told me that time and again

When you tried to cut one like the heads of the hydra

They grow back in the power of ten

And though I know you arе guilty of nothing

Except for the strong will to live in thе light

You throw your seeds on the wind like a thistle

Good night, box elder, good night

And the man told me that from your tree

They formed the cross on Calvary

And the people cried, "crucify!"

And Pilate washed his hands

A cloud of blue smoke rise in the morning

The engine will sputter and the chain it will spin

But here at my window, tonight it is quiet

Except for the leaves in the wind

And though I know you are guilty of nothing

Except for the strong will to live in the light

You throw your seeds on the wind like a thistle

Good night, box elder, good night