Shelter from the Storm

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

B A E E B A E

Verse 2
And 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 little 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
E B A E
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin’ there
E B A
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
E B A
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
E B A E
“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, 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.”

Alternate Verse 7, from the outtake version:
Now the bonds are broken, but they can be retied
by one more journey to the woods, the holes where spirits hide.
It’s a never-ending battle for a peace that’s always torn.
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”

Verse 8
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
E B A E
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
E B A
I bargained for salvation an’ they gave me a lethal dose.
E B A
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn.
E B A E
“Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”

Verse 10
Well, 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.”