i crossed the desert on a dining car in the spring of 91 i met some people drinking at the bar they were laughing having 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 em down one by one then i left em long the rails i 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 drinking wine and eating brie i asked em who would brake and who would steer they started pointing back at me so i shot em down one by one and then i left em 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 wheels into the sun feel the wind upon your face or you can laugh into a loaded gun and you ll likely lose your place yeah i shot em down one by one then i left em long the rails i use my gun whenever kindness fails yeah i shot em down one by one then i left em long the rails when i use my gun that lonesome whistle wails