Baltimore

I know I've seen this place before
 Lord can't you hear me screaming
 As a young man long ago
 When I was twenty-one
 And I know I've seen this house before
 With people all around it
 With my baby cousin on the floor
 And mama in the kitchen
 And a woman lies upon the bed
 I think she must be dying
 And I recall the words she said
 As she began to cry
 She begged son please don't go to baltimore
 And leave me where I'm lying
 For you will son but I no more
 Walk among the living
 And if you go to baltimore
 Then I'll see you in heaven
 And as you breathe I'll breathe no more
 And I will surely die
 Well you know I went to baltimore
 So confident and wise
 And as I breathed she breathed no more
 And she did surely die
 And now as I lie upon my bed
 I pray I must be dreaming
 With faces all around my head
 And strangers at my door
 And a woman's voice calls out to me
 Bring unto you your children
 And let them see these things you see
 And hear the words you say
 Beg them to go to baltimore
 And leave you where you're lying
 Just like you did one time before
 When you were twenty-one
 And if they go to baltimore
 Then I'll see you in heaven
 And as they breathe you'll breathe no more
 And you will surely die
 And I know I've seen this place before
 Lord can't you hear me screaming
 And if I should awaken lord
 Then answer me my plea
 What makes the sun set in the west
 And birds fly in the sky
 And what makes a woman beat her breast
 When her children start to cry
 And what makes those little ones grow old
 To find eternity
 And what takes the wise
 And leaves behind
 A foolish one like me