A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

Tramp on the Street
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Listen

Only a tramp was Laz'rus that day
He lay down by the rich man's gate
He begged for crumbs from the rich man to eat
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street

He was somebody's darlin', he was some mother's son
Once he was fair and once he was young
Some mother she rocked him, her little darlin', to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street

I go to the train, to the platform below
Crowded with people, not a face do I know
But there is a man, lying on the concrete
And his eyes meet mine, and he says to me

If Jesus should come and knock at your door
Would you let him come in and take from your store
Or would you say no and turn him away
For this he will judge you on the great day

Third stanza written by Garrison Keillor; © Garrison Keillor.
Stanzas 1, 2 and 4 written by Grady Cole and Hazel Cole; © DIXIE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.