I won't tell you how to live If I tell you what to think I could wake up in the morning with a pistol at my cheek You ride with a priest A captain and a judge Spilling native blood, justice will be done When you don't think to run Young man, your God is waking War is madmen's making The judge will say what has been known for centuries What joins men is the sharing of enemies If you ride with crooked men through the western land You best shut your eyes when you meet the blood meridian And live your life like you don't care if it ends You are not your father, boy And battle only beats the soul With nothing left, you'll come to know To load your weapon and hold tight your whiskey How do you go on to live with no remorse So desensitized to using deadly force Who are you fighting for Young man, your God is waking War is madmen's making The judge will say what has been known for centuries What joins men is the sharing of enemies If you ride with crooked men through the western land You best shut your eyes when you meet the blood meridian And live your life like you don't care Live your life like you don't care Live your life like you don't care if it ends