I had a melancholy malady
Wen to see the doctor and the doctor say
Too bad nothin' he could do he
Knew a man in Louisiana if I'm willin' to pay
Laid my money on the barrelhead
Man behind the bar began to shimmy and shake
Can't lie I reckoned I was dead
When he picked up my money up and I heard him say

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait

Thirteen tiger teeth in my talisman
St. John The Conqueror and a black cat bone
Been seen walkin' with the Guardians
Now I'm in the alley and I'm all alone
Can't run can't hide from destiny
Knew this day was comin' nearly all of my life
Been done ain't the only boy from Tennessee
To carve his name in cypress with a jawbone knife

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait

So you wanna be the king of America
Say you wanna know the oracle's mind
Say you wanna see the Marquessess of Mardi Gras
Dancin' with the devil at the end of the line

Meet me in the alleyway
Minute to midnight don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait

Meet me in the alleyway
Don't be late
Meet me in the alleyway
Better come runnin' the spirits won't wait

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): STEVE EARLE