Cortelia Clark lyrics

Mickey Newbury



I was just a boy the year the Blue Bird Special came through hereon its first run South to New Orleans.

A blind old man and I, we came to Guthrie just to see the train. He was black and I was green.



"Tell me what you see," said he. "Is the engine black or red, son? That`s the loudest thing I`ve ever seen."

Then he picked his guitar up and sat on the fender of a truck. Then his eyes lit up as he begin to sing.

I remember when that old man`s dreams were chained to a depot down in Guthrie and a Blue Bird Special train



Then he picked his guitar up and shuffled down the walk to the cars of town wound `round the building at his feet

Looking mighty proud, that old man, with his battered hat in his hand. Lord, he sang a song that made me weep.

Yes, he made me weep.



I read it in a week-old paper. No one made it for his death or even lay a flower at his feet.

He was just a blind old beggar. He was sad, but, Lord, I`ll wager he won`t beg for nothing on his street.

You will find him, Lord, this morning. He`ll be stepping from your door.

Can you save a street in glory for Cortelia Clark?



`Cause I was just a boy the week the Blue Bird Special came through here on its first run South to New Orleans.

A blind old man and I, we came to Guthrie just to see the train. He was black and was I green.