When I look back on the road we've worn
All the forlorn love, and peace foresworn
I can say at least I've laid down all my bets
I've packed a fair bit of living in a couple three years --
Terror and laughter and a couple three tears --
And I ain't figured out how to pack out a room just yet
But I can pack two weeks in a duffel bag, and pack
A mean cigarette

If we'd just stop and think
About the one thing we've done right
It'd be writing ragged songs
About a righteous ragged life
And if we'd stop and think a bit longer
About where we went all wrong
It'd be learning how to live from righteous, ragged songs

Alabama, by now, I should hope you know
I'd die for you if called to do so
But I'm being courted by California and Tennessee
Waiting at the gate, I wink away a tear
Talking on the phone about Fugazi and fear:
"Dave, we're fixing to board, but just one last thing, please:
Say a prayer for punk rock, and a prayer for me."

If we'd just stop and think
About the one thing we've done right
It'd be writing ragged songs
About a righteous ragged life
And if we'd stop and think a bit longer
About where we went all wrong
It'd be learning how to live from righteous, ragged songs