Ruined by the Blues

Ruined By the Blues

I was raised in Alabama, walkin’ on the railroad tracks.
Still got tar stuck to my feet but I’m never going back.
I was ruined, had my whole life left to lose.
I was ruined, ruined by the blues.

So I spent some time in Texas but they didn’t like me there.
If I woulda stayed in Texas I mighta got that electric chair.
I was ruined, they really put me to the screw.
I was ruined, ruined by the blues.

Well, I went up to the preacher, asked him to tell me straight,
“Can I still get to heaven, or has it got too late?
I’ve been ruined, and I know I’ve gotta choose.
I’ve been ruined, ruined by the blues.”

Well the preacher looked me over, and he just said, “Oh, son,
if I was you and I saw God a-coming you know I’d run.
You’ve been ruined, and you’ve got no good excuse.
You’ve been ruined, ruined by the blues.”

Guess I should have stayed in gospel, should have stayed in pop,
should have sang some country songs, maybe tried a little rock,
but I was ruined, now there’s nothing I can do,
‘cause I was ruined, oh yeah, ruined by the blues.

I said I was ruined, ruined by the blues.

Ken Zimmerman 2018