The Earth Would Not Take Him lyrics

They carried him past the chapel gate Past the grazing field and the rusted stake No widow cried, no bell was swung Folks crossed themselves and held their tongues They dug him deep by the termite mound Where roots ran black through thirsty ground Three days later the grave gave way And the dirt threw every clod away No saint above would hear his plea No devil claimed his company Even the dark stepped back in fear Rejected by the Earth Rejected by the flame Rejected by the hands That once recalled his name The grave won't keep him The night won't hide him The road still bears his tread Rejected by the Earth And not yet dead Old João swore on a stack of bibles His mule broke loose beside the bridle Old Maria barred her door with chains When those footsteps crossed her lane The well rope snapped without a sound The hens refused to scratch the ground And dogs that barked at every thief Went silent down beside the creek No prayer could turn his shadow back No priest could force him from his track Some sins outlive the grave Rejected by the Earth Rejected by the flame Rejected by the hands That once recalled his name The grave won't keep him The night won't hide him The road still bears his tread Rejected by the Earth And not yet dead The old folks used to say Curse your mother Strike your father Mock the hungry Steal what's not yours The earth takes drunks The earth takes thieves The earth takes killers But it would not take him Rejected by the Earth Rejected by the sky Still walking down the cattle roads While better men have died The grave won't keep him The night won't hide him The years can't wear him thin Rejected by the Earth And wandering still The insects stop The pasture waits A loose gate knocks against the post Beyond the mound Beyond the fence Something walks And every farmer knows Not to call it By its name