Bruce Springsteen: Outlaw Pete

He was born a little baby on the Appalachian Trail
At six months old he'd done three months in jail
He robbed a bank in his diapers and his little bare baby feet
All he said was, "Folks, my name is Outlaw Pete

"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"Can you hear me?"

At 25 a Mustang pony he did steal
and he rode around and 'round on Heaven's wheel
"Father Jesus, I'm an outlaw, killer and a thief
"and I slow down only to sow my grief.

"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"Can you hear me?"

He cut his trail of tears across the countryside
and where he went, women wept and men died

One night he awoke from a vision of his own death
Saddled his pony and rode out deep into the west
Met a Navajo girl and settled down on the res'
and as the smoke fell, he held that beautiful daughter to his chest

"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"I'm Outlaw Pete,
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?"

Out of the east on an Irish stallion came Bounty Hunter Dan,
his heart quickened and burdened by the need to get his man.
He found Pete peaceful and fishing by the river, pulled his gun and got the drop.
He said, "Pete, you think you've changed, but you have not."

He cocked his pistol, pulled the trigger, and shouted, "Let it stop!"
He drew a knife from his boot, threw it and pierced Dan through the heart.
Dan smiled as he lay in his own blood dying in the sun.
Whispered in Pete's ear, "We cannot undo these things we've done.

"You're Outlaw Pete,
"You're Outlaw Pete,
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?"

For 40 days and nights Pete rode and did not stop
till he sat high upon an icy mountaintop.
He watched a hawk on a desert updraft slip and slide.
Moved to the edge and dug his spurs deep into his pony's side.

Some say Pete and his pony vanished over the edge.
Some say they remain frozen high upon that icy ledge.
A young Navajo girl washes in the river, skin so fair
and braids a piece of Pete's buckskin chaps into her hair.

"Outlaw Pete
"Outlaw Pete
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?
"Can you hear me?"