Intro
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Jimmy Sparks went into bars and opened up his mouth
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Said some things to wounded men that they could not allow
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When it came to talking, he was always on the run
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Everyone knew what the man had done
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Oh, he'll take you for a ride
Verso 1:
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Jimmy believed in the American way
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A prison guard, he worked hard and made the minimum wage
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He found his freedom like a man in a cage, oh
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Jimmy loved Bonnie and he fathered a kid
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A baby boy, but the mother had other reasons to live
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She left the baby with a note on the bed, oh
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It was a struggle just to cover the rent
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His jail cut hours and hours little baby was sick
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He needed money and he needed it quick
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It was 3 am
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Oh, my love, oh, my love
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Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?
Verso 2:
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Jim woke his son and buckled him in the car
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They drove an hour from town and found a gambling hall
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The waitress babysat the boy at the bar, oh no
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After an hour, Jimmy doubled his cash
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He took his kid and his winnings as the dealer just laughed
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He said they leave, but then they always come back, that's a fact
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Out on the road, they caught a stranger in the lights
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His thumb was up and his son asked if the man was alright
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Jim said you never give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them
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It was 3 am
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Oh, my love, oh, my love
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Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?
Verso 3:
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20 years gone and now the boy is a man
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Broke Jimmy's habits, got in mountains and mountains of debt
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And now the sharks are coming back to collect, oh-oh
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They stripped his jewelry and the boots off Jim's feet
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They kick him out the car and say we'll give you a week
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Eight miles from home and only 18 degrees
It was 3 am
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Oh, my love, oh, my love
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Could you spare my blood, spare my blood?
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Ab G Cm
Verso 4:
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Now Jimmy's son is trying to make his way home
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His graveyard shift had ended and it was starting to snow
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He sees an old man walking barefoot alone
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It was 3 am
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His old man waved his hands with tears in his eyes
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But Jimmy's son just sped up and remembered daddy's advice
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No, you don't ever give a hitcher a ride 'cause it's us or them
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Cause it's me or him
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It was 3 am
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3 am