Headin' West to Be Free Lyrics

I met hobo Johnny

Down by the railroad tracks

He said, I'm leavin' too

He ain't comin' back.

With a flask in his hand

He gave me a wink and grin

Said, freedom's a gamble

Do what you can to win

Say bye to Mama

Say bye for me

Say bye to Papa

I'm headin' west to be free

I stopped at the crossroads

Bumped into Jenny Sue

She told me to take her dreams

She won't be followin' through

Handed me a guitar

Said play it true for me

When you reach the west

Set my spirit free

Say bye to Mama

Say bye for me

Say bye to Papa

I'm headin' west to be free

The lonesome preacher man

Stopped me on a dusty road

Said, son, the weight of sin

Can be a heavy load

Gave me the good book

You'll need this where you're bound

The devil lives out west

You'll be livin' on his ground

Say bye to Mama

Say bye for me

Say bye to Papa

I'm headin' west to be free

Ran into a drifter

With a tear in his eye

Said he'd headin' east

To get home before he dies

He warned me of the deserts

And many trials ahead

Said, you'll find freedom

But it might cost your head

Say bye to Mama

Say bye for me

Say bye to Papa

I'm headin' west to be free

Saw a shadowy figure

At the canyon's edge

She whispered of a dream

That I jumped off the ledge

Said, keep headin' West

But it will take your soul

Careful what you chase

It might not make you whole

Say bye to Mama

Say bye for me

Say bye to Papa

I'm headin' west to be free