Gillian Welch/David Rawlings: "The Weight"

with Old Crow Medicine Show

I pulled into Nazareth
I was feeling about half past dead
I just needed some place
where I can lay my head
"Hey mister, can you tell me
where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand,
"No," was all he said

Take a load off, Annie
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Annie
and you put the load right on me

I picked up my bag
I went looking for a place to hide
when I saw Carmen and the Devil
walking side by side
I said, "Hey Carmen,
come on, let's go downtown"
She said "I gotta go
but my friend can stick around"

Crazy Chester followed me
and he caught me in the fog
He said "I will fix your rat
if you'll take Jack my dog"
I said "Wait a minute, Chester,
you know I'm a peaceful man"
He said "That's okay, boy,
won't you feed him when you can?"

Go down Miss Moses,
there's nothing you can say
It's just old Luke
and Luke's waiting on the judgement day
"Well, Luke, my friend,
what about young Annalee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son,
won't you stay and keep Annalee company?"

Catch a cannonball
now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low
and I do believe it's time
to get back to Miss Annie,
you know she's the only one
who sent me here
with her regards for everyone