Rodney Crowell: Shelter From The Storm

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to stay warm.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved.
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm.
"Come in, I will give you shelter from the storm."

You were burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
Poisoned in the bushes, blown out on the trail,
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn.
"Come in I will give you shelter from the storm."

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
She walked up to me gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed.
Just to think that it all began on a noneventful morn.
"Come in," I said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails, the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
The one-eyed undertaker, he blows his futile horn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with their broken teeth stranded without love.
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

In a little hilltop village, they gamble for my clothes
You'll bargain for salvation and they give you a lethal dose.
You'll offer up your innocence and get repaid with scorn.
"Come in, I will give you shelter from the storm."

Now I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine.
If I could only turn back the hands of time to when you and God were born.
I know that I could give you,
Shelter from the storm
Come in and i will give you shelter from the storm.