Song Lyrics

Crossed the desert in a dining car
In the spring of '91
Met some people drinkin' at the bar
They were laughin', havin' fun

Told 'em that I hadn't heard the joke
That was so hilarious
They said that I was just a dumb cowpoke
I didn't want to make a fuss

So I shot them down, one by one
And left them 'long the rails
I only use my gun
Whenever kindness fails

Moon was in the sign of Scorpio
The sun was at my back
I didn't know how far the train would go
Till the law would find my track

Saw the brakeman and the engineer
Drinking wine and eating brie
I asked them who would brake and who would steer
They started pointing back at me

I only have a momment to explain
Just a chance to let you know
When it's time to board that train
There are 2 ways you can go

You can ride the wind into the sun
Feel a cool wind on your face
Or you can laugh into a loaded gun
And you'll likely lose your place

Yeah I shot them down, one by one
And left them 'long the rails
I only use my gun
Whenever kindness fails

I shot them down, one by one
And left them 'long the rails
When I use my gun
That lonesome whistle wails

Robert Earl Jr Keen

The duration of Whenever Kindness Fails is 4:05 minutes and seconds.