Jimmy Sparks

Jimmy Sparks went into bars and opened up his mouth

Said some things to wounded men that they could not allow

When it came to talking he was always on the run

Everyone knew what the man had done

Oh, he'll take you for a ride

Jimmy believed in the American way

A prison guard he worked hard and made the minimum wage

He found his freedom locking men in a cage

Jimmy loved Bonnie and he fathered a kid

A baby boy but the mother had other reasons to live

She left the baby with a note on the bed

It was a struggle just to cover the rent

His jail cut hours and now his little baby was sick

He needed money and he needed it quick

It was three AM

Oh my love oh my love

Could you spare my blood, spare my blood

Jim woke his son and buckled him in the car

They drove an hour from town and found a gambling hall

The waitress babysat the boy at the bar

After an hour Jimmy doubled his cash

He took his kid and his winnings as the dealer just laughed

He said they leave but then they always come back

That's a fact

Out on the road they caught a stranger in the lights

His thumb was up and the son asked if the man was alright

Jim said you never give a hitcher a ride

Cause it's us or them

It was three AM

Oh my love oh my love

Could you spare my blood, spare my blood

Twenty years gone and now the boy is a man

Old Jimmy's habits got him mountains and mountains of debt

And now the sharks are coming back to collect

They strip the jewelry and the boots off Jim's feet

They kick Him out of the car and say we'll give you a week

Eight miles from home and only eighteen degrees

It was three AM

Oh my love oh my love

Would you spare my blood, damn my blood

Now Jimmy's son is trying to make his way home

His graveyard shift had ended and it was starting to snow

He sees an old man walking barefoot alone

It was three AM

His old man waved his hands with tears in his eyes

But Jimmy's son just sped up and remembered daddy's advice

No you don't ever give a hitcher a ride

'Cause it's us or them

'Cause it's me or him

It was three AM

Three AM