Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying "This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To Jerusalem."
I travelled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
Well, I heard that hoot-owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above the barren trees
Were his only audience
Them charcoal gypsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
But nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell.
Bob Dylan, excerpted from Blind Willie McTell