This is the most diffcult song I have ever written. Unfortunately, it was inspirid by the death of a great friend, Kimo. He was our security guard whom I spent day in and day out with for many years on the road. I remember reciving the phone call while I was staying at my mother's house during Christmas. I stayed up all night writing this song. It was the only release at the time to keep me from going crazy. I would gladly give up this song, in a second, to have Kimo back.
Well I see him on the TV Preachin' 'bout the promised land He tells me to believe in Jesus And steals the money from my hand
Some say he was a good man But Lord I think he sinned, yeah
Twenty-two years of mental tears Cries a suicidal Vietnam vet Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore To find his country didn't want him back
Their bullets took his best friend in Saigon Our lawyers took his wife and kids, no regrets In a time I don't remember In a war he can't forget
He cried "Forgive me for what I've done there Cause I never meant the things I did"
Chorus: And give me something to believe in If there's a Lord above And give me something to believe in Oh, Lord arise
My best friend died a lonely man In some Palm Springs hotel room I got the call last Christmas Eve And they told me the news
I tried all night not to break down and cry As the tears rolled down my face I felt so cold and empty Like a lost soul out of place
And the mirror, mirror on the wall Sees my smile it fades again
Chorus
Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now The things I didn't know then Road you gotta take me home
Solo
I drive by the homeless sleeping on a cold dark street Like bodies in an open grave Underneath the broken old neon sign That used to read JESUS SAVES
A mile away live the rich folks And I see how they're living it up While the poor they eat from hand to mouth The rich is drinkin' from a golden cup
And it just makes me wonder Why so many lose, so few win
Chorus
You take the high road And I'll take the low road
Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now The things I didn't know then
