13 Horsemen

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jim Lauderdale

Thirteen shadow horsemen near the bridge at dawn
Sunrise on the mountain finds them gone
Except for one lone rider the sunlight shone upon
Cast a shade across the valley, spread seven miles long

It was in 1820, where I cannot say
Beyond the blue horizon, half a world away
Each year in her honour, I faced the new year's dawn
My patience is forever but time rolls on and on

There's a call I hear deep down in my soul
In my heart, like it's written on a scroll
Ancient words, whose full meaning is unclear
But who's love vanishes my fear
My fear

Thirteen shadows on the wall cast by the night
Dark outside my window blazes neon light
This must be the future I once read about
From the Book os Wisdom, type turned inside out

There's a call I hear deep down in my soul
In my heart, like it's written on a scroll
Ancient words, whose full meaning is unclear
But who's love vanishes my fear
My fear

No one can protect me from my own designs
I learned to live despite them, watch for danger signs
Sarcastic words and irony were light my fettered shines
Don't know who's voice is calling, I think it could be mine

There's a call I hear deep down in my soul
In my heart, like it's written on a scroll
Ancient words, whose full meaning is unclear
But who's love vanishes my fear
My fear