Shelter from the Storm (9/17/74, Take 1)

[Verse 1]
'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 2]
If I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 3]
Not a word was spoke between us, there was no risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 4]
I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 5]
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 6]
Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there’s been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 7]
Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 8]
Well I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 9]
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation, she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”

[Verse 10]
I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
“Come in,” she said, “I'll give you shelter from the storm”