Joe Ely Whenever Kindness Fails lyrics

Crossed the desert in a dinin' car
In the spring of '91
Met some people drinkin' at the bar
They were laughin', havin' fun

I told 'em that I hadn't heard the joke
That was so hilarious
They said that I was just a dumb cowpoke
I didn't want to make a fuss

So I shot them down one by one
I left them 'long the rails
I only use my gun
Whenever kindness fails

The moon was in the sign of Scorpio
The sun was at my back
I didn't know how far the train would go
Until the law would find my track

I saw the brakeman and the engineer
Drinkin' wine and eatin' brie
I asked them who would brake and who would steer
They started pointin' back at me

So I shot them down one by one

I left them 'long the rails
I only use my gun
Whenever kindness fails

I only have a moment to explain
Just a chance to let you know
When it's time for you to board the train
There are two ways you can go

You can ride the winds into the sun
Feel a cool wind on your face
Or you can laugh into a loaded gun
And you'll likely lose your place

Yeah, I shot them down one by one
I left them 'long the rails
I only use my gun
Whenever kindness fails

Yeah, I shot them down one by one
I left them 'long the rails
When I use my gun
That lonesome whistle wails