Tramp on the Street: Lyrics

Grady and Hazel Cole

• CD Best Of The Vanguard Years

Only a tramp was Lazarus that day
He who lay down at the rich man's gate
He begged for the crumbs
From the rich man to eat, Oh Lord,
They left him to die
Like a tramp on the street.

He was some mother's darlin',
He was some mother's son
And once he was fair and once he was young
Well some mother rocked him,
Her darlin' to sleep, Oh Lord,
They left him to die
Like a tramp on the street.

Jesus, who died on Calvary's tree
Shed His life's blood for you and for me
They pierced His sides,
His hands and His feet, Oh Lord,
They left him to die
Like a tramp on the street

He was Mary's own darlin',
He was God's chosen Son
Once He was fair and once He was young
Mary, she rocked Him,
Her little darlin' to sleep, Oh Lord,
And they left him to die
Like a tramp on the street

Of note:

Cisco leaves out all the theology of the original, turning it from a "What was your part in the death of Jesus?" as recorded by Hank Williams to another rich man/poor man conflict.

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