Joe Rae

Joe Rae

"Won’t you get in the car?"
said Joe Rae at 34
to Susan who claimed she topped 23
But Susan was in fact just 16
--not looking back--
and Joe Rae’s car seemed
her chariot of dreams

If any one had said to sweet Susan
"Girl, you’ll soon be dead,"
she don’t give a damn
Get on your knees and pray
beg forgiveness, Joe Rae
Joe Rae you are on the road to Hell

Well, she stuck out her thumb at 6:21
when the sun had just begun to shine
She would run away from home
tattooed skull and cross-bones
on her breast where the flesh
was smooth and fine

Death wish in her heart
Sweet Susan
with Youth’s careless art
she don’t give a damn
Get on your knees and pray
beg forgiveness, Joe Rae
Joe Rae you are on the road to Hell

For His first plan had said
"Slit her throat, leave her dead..."
not aware he’d fall in love with that sweet maid
Well, he loved that girl so
take her anywhere she’d go
not aware she was headin’ for the grave

Sensed his slipping threat
Sweet Susan
and she took that man to bed
she don’t give a damn
Get on your knees and pray
beg forgiveness, Joe Rae
Joe Rae you are on the road to Hell

Now he’s crying tears
Sweet Susan
Locked up all his years
she don’t give a damn
Get on your knees and pray
beg forgiveness, Joe Rae
Joe Rae you are on the road to Hell

Q: vocals, acoustic guitar
J: bass
M: electric guitar
RMM: pedal steel
DH: strings
Becky Schlegel: Sweet Susan
Erik Douglas Tasa: Joe Rae