[short instrumental intro] [verse 1] He was waiting at the crossroad sign Leather and chrome in the dead of night He said “Climb on, girl, you know where we’re bound” And the engine roared with a mournful sound [chorus 1] I’m ridin’ with the Reaper Down a highway black and wide I’m ridin’ with the Reaper With the wind as my guide I don’t know where it ends, but I know what it means The road is long, and it’s lined with dreams [verse 2] Ghosts in the fields, shadows on the fence Every mile gone feels heaven-sent I hold on tight, I can’t let go The faster we ride, the less I know [chorus 2] I’m ridin’ with the Reaper Through the dark with nothing to hide I’m ridin’ with the Reaper And there’s nowhere to slide The road grows thin, and the signs all fade I hear the cost of the life I made [bridge] Every oath I swore, every vow I kept Every tear I hid, every word I wept It all runs out when the night runs deep And I find my peace in the hands that reap [fiddle solo] [verse 3] No dawn ahead, just the endless turn No way back from the lessons burned I close my eyes, the horizon’s red And I finally see where the highway led [chorus 3] I’m ridin’ with the Reaper With the fire low in my chest I’m ridin’ with the Reaper And I’m not second-guess’d Every mile’s been wild, every wrong and right And this last ride feels just like life [instrumental break] [outro] I’m ridin’ with the Reaper— With the night under my skin Life was one hell of a ride Let the next ride begin [fade out]
