You always said I wouldn't stay

I guess you saw the way

Before it all began

I've always been a changin' train

And when you think on this

You might forgive me then

Thanks for Chicago Mr James

And all the shiny suits

And all the shining names

The things a country boy can't grace

Without the look of shame

Upon a city face

And you needed more

Than the smile I wore

You picked me up on my way down

The dusty one horse town

I won't forget the jail

The mayor's wife and Cadillac

The sheriff on my back

'Til you put up the bail

Thanks for Chicago Mr James

You got a lot of grace

But you're an empty place

The dawn falls hard upon my face

I'll move as I began

Thru' fields without a plan

Thanks for Chicago Mr James

That world of grey and gold

That watched you growing old

The things I never saw I see

To think that I'm still free

And I'm not feeling cold