Desperation Train

Thereabouts I came across another empty hand
Another tin cup shaken by some raggedy old man
Acting blind and keeping time with his thin white cane
He said Jesus Christ and Judas rode the desperation train
I've been torn down and rebuilt again
Felt the cold fire of madness as it ran through my veins
Signals from the green flag
Steam rising in the front cab
I believe we left it all behind
On the desperation train
They came, all the king's horses and all the king's men
For all those who ride won't be denied
For we all have rode the desperation train
Into view the ice truck flew with a smiling man aboard
All pink cheeks and flashing teeth in a bright white uniform
He said this laugh is just a mask, it helps to take the strain
But Charlie Chaplin and Lou Costello rode the desperation train
And I've played hard and waited in vain
Seen the red sun of sadness slowly sinking in my brain
I've been driving in the long spikes
Laying rails in the cold night
I believe we left it all behind
On the desperation train
They came, all the king's horses and all the king's men
For all those who feel fate turns the wheel
On the last car home on the desperation train
We've all been there, been born too late
From Joan of Arc to Norma Rae
Men without shame, we came the last on this line
Free from our chains
For all those who chose the road leading home
We'll never put them back together again
For all those who ride, they won't be denied
For we all have rode the desperation train