West - Ben Rosenbush

West to California
Two brothers ride the rails
Hunting white foam beaches and the wild summer gale
They've seen those men with nothing work for nothing all their lives
And the others dine on diamonds
Just to die choking on the shine
West to California on a train from Omaha
Two brothers ride watching the hills roll into the dawn
Can you write the story if you take the pen by force
Will the wind follow you if you try to order its course
The dream starts feelin' thin when the hunger's kickin' in
In every joke they tell now there seems another voice laughin'
They've heard it said
There's a way that seems good that ends only in death
But don't worry now
This one 'ain't so good out West
West to California on a train from Omaha
Two brothers ride
Looking 'round the bend for better thoughts
Can anybody realize what's hidden in a heart
Will you find the inner flow if you strike the stone apart
The younger said I'm going home and jumped right off the train
The older tried to stop him but he was too late to save
He cried and called his name out
But the wheels rolled on ahead
Black rain sprinklin' down
Nothing more to be said
West to California on a train from Omaha
One brother rides lonely to a city where he don't belong
Can you play with freedom and not lose it in the game
Will your fire still burn in the coming hurricane