Townes Van Zandt — Waitin’ Around to Die 1968 Version

[Verse 1] Sometimes I don't know where this dirty road's taking me Sometimes I don't even know the reason why But I guess I keep a-gamblin', lots of booze, and lots of ramblin' Well it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die [Verse 2] One time, friends, I had a ma, I even had a pa Well he beat her with a belt once 'cause she cried She told him to take care of me, headed down to Tennessee Ah, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die [Verse 3] Well I came of age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa bar Ah, she cleaned me out and hit it on the sly I tried to hide the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a train Well it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die [Verse 4] Well a friend said he knew where some easy money was We robbed a man and, brother, did we fly The posse caught up with me, drug me back to Muskogee Two long years a-waitin' around to die [Verse 5] Now I'm out of prison, I got me a friend at last Well he don't drink or steal or cheat or lie Well his name's codeine, he's the nicest thing I have seen Yeah together we're gonna wait around and die Yeah together we're gonna wait around and die