See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin´ yesterday´s misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams
Which he spent like they was goin´ outa style

And he keeps right on a´changin´ for the better or the worse
Searchin´ for a shrine he´s never found
Never knowin´ if believin´ is a blessin´ or a curse
Or if the goin´ up was worth the comin´ down

He´s a poet, he´s a picker
He´s a prophet, he´s a pusher
He´s a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he´s stoned
He´s a walkin´ contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction
Takin´ every wrong direction on his lonely way back home

He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars
And he´s traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin´ from his devils, lord, and reachin´ for the stars
And losin´ all he´s loved along the way

But if this world keeps right on turnin´ for the better or the worse
And all he ever gets is older and around
From the rockin´ of the cradle to the rollin´ of the hearse
The goin´ up was worth the comin´ down