If Today Doesn't Do Me In - Ian Noe

In a heavy rain standing

Off an old county road

'Side a high rolling river so swift

There was a hitchhiking stranger

Quite pale from the cold

On a cane, tryin' to thumb down a lift

Well, I pulled up beside him

And let my window on down

To the rain and the bone-chilling wind

Said «You look awful worn

In this late-winter storm

Which way are you headed, my friend?»

«Right up to the spotlight

Drinkin' all that Coke and gin

And I’ll be suit-wearin' man

With gold in my hand

If today doesn’t do me in»

Behind a gas station counter

Moving crates full of things

That looked far too heavy for her

There stood a girl with a frown

Said, «Let me just set these down

And I’ll be right with you, sir»

I said, «No hurry here

Take all the time that you want»

She said, «A little time and you just wait and see

Oh, I’ll be without a care

When I finally get there»

I said, «Miss, tell me where might that be»

«Right up to the spotlight

Drinkin' all that Coke and gin

And I’ll be a dress-wearin' girl

With the heels and the pearls

If today doesn’t do me in

If today doesn’t do me in»

Well, I got a head-full this morning

Cuttin' out through the fog

You know, I can’t help but wonder what’s left

From every road that dead-ends

To those old bitter men

Passing time on the old courthouse steps

And there’s a feeling you get

Not far from despair

That sometimes sets in on your mind

But if it’s all that you’ve got

You still set the clock

And get up with a reason to climb

Right up to the spotlight

Drinking all that coke and gin

And I’ll leave these shadows behind

For a new peace of mind

If today doesn’t do me in

If today doesn’t do me in