Bootleg whiskey incident / "... This land is condemned all the way from New Orleans to Jerusalem ..."

Well, God is in His heaven
And we all want what’s his
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seem to be all that there is
I’m gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell

Copyright © 1983 by Special Rider Music (Bob Dylan)





I live down in Bell street alley, just as drunk as I can be
I live down in Bell street alley, just as drunk as I can be
Seem like them Bell street Crow Janes, have done got rough with me

I drink so much Bell Street whiskey, they won't sell McTell no more
I drink so much Bell Street whiskey, they won't sell poor boy McTell no more
I've got the Cavenglass boys, playing all around my door

This Bell Street whiskey, make you sleep all in your clothes
That old Bell Street whiskey, make you sleep all in your clothes
And when you wake up next morning, feel like you done laid outdoors

You can get booze down on Bell Street, for two bits and a half a throw
You can get booze down on Bell Street, for two bits and a half a throw
They'll make you send out your mother and father, to just break down the jailhouse door

Walked in my room, the other night
Man come in, he want to fight
Took my gun, my right hand
Hold me people, I don't want to kill no man

When I said that, he rapped me across my head
The first shot I fired, then the man fell dead
Bell street whiskey, drove me to the county jail
Got me laying back here on my bunk, nobody in the world to go my bail

Lyrics by Blind Willie McTell