Earl Keen, Robert - Shades Of Gray Lyrics






We made Oklahoma a little after 3
Randy, his brother Bob and my old GMC
We had some moonshine whisky
And some of Bob's homegrown
We were so messed up we didn't know
If we were drunk or stoned
Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail
Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head
They been kicked out of high school several years ago
For pushin over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo
Since then they've done their little dance
Right outside the law
Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas
And I don't know what possessed me
To want to tag along
Cause I was raised a Christian
And I knew right from wrong

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

We stole two Charolais heifers from
Randy's sweetheart's paw
Sold them at the livestock sale
Outside of Wichita

We got $900 and never did suspect
The world of hurt we'd be in once
We cashed that check
Next day we heard the story
On the local radio
Made our plans that very night
To go to Mexico
I swear we would have made it
If it wasn't for that shine
I got sick about the time we crossed
That Kansas line

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

I was layin in the bar ditch
Prayin I would die
When a light come on above us
And a voice come from the sky
A half a dozen unmarked cars
Came screeching to a halt
They grabbed bob, he started screamin
It was all my fault

There were men and dogs
And helicopter buzzin all around
They had the brothers on the
Pickup hood and me down on the ground
Bob flew all to pieces but randy he
Held tight when a black man in a
Suit and tie stepped out into the light
He told his men to turn us loose
They put down their guns
He said these are just some
Sorry kids, they ain't the ones

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray

They left us by the roadside
Down hearted and alone
Randy got behind the wheel
Said boys I'm going home
We turned around to face our fate
Downhearted but alive on that
Mornin in late April, Oklahoma, 1995

Right or wrong, black or white
Cross the line, you're gonna pay
In the dawn before the light
Live and die by the shades of gray





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Earl Keen, Robert Shades Of Gray Comments
  1. C.... ....

    I'll admit that I'd listened to this song about a hundred times before I really picked up on the connection to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. He comes at it pretty obliquely.

    C.... ....

    NO SHIT,
    I never put that together either....
    Now I've gotta go back an listen.....
    THANKS.....

    C.... ....

    Me too. Favorite for 20 years and 100s of plays. Now it all makes sense

  2. B.... B....

    One of Roger's favorites from his playlist before he passed love u bro u are greatly missed ride on bullhand your brother Bob

    B.... B....

    Love u bro

  3. J.... K....

    We made Oklahoma a little after 3
    Randy, his brother Bob and my old G-M-C
    We had some moonshine whiskey
    And some of Bob's homegrown
    We were so messed up we didn't know
    If we were drunk or stoned
    Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail
    Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head
    They been kicked out of high school several years ago
    For pushin' over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo
    Since then they've done their little dance
    Right outside the law
    Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas
    And I don't know what possessed me
    To want to tag along
    Cause I was raised a Christian
    And I knew right from wrong
    Right or wrong, black or white
    Cross the line your gonna pay
    In the dawn before the light
    Live and die by the shades of gray
    We stole two Charolais heifers from
    Randy's sweetheart's paw
    Sold them at the livestock sale
    Outside of Wichita
    We got $900 and never did suspect
    The world of hurt we'd be in once
    We cashed that check
    Next day we heard the story
    On the local radio
    Made our plans that very night
    To go to Mexico
    I swear we would have made it
    If it wasn't for that shine
    I got sick about the time we crossed
    That Kansas line
    Right or wrong, black or white
    Cross the line your gonna pay
    In the dawn before the light
    Live and die by the shades of gray
    We stole two Charolais heifers from
    Randy's sweetheart's paw
    Sold them at the livestock sale
    Outside of Wichita
    I was layin in the bar ditch
    Prayin I would die
    When a light come on above us
    And a voice come from the sky
    A half a dozen unmarked cars
    Came screeching to a halt
    They grabbed bob, he started screamin'
    It was all my fault
    There were men and dogs
    And helicopter buzzin' all around
    They had the brothers on the
    Pickup hood and me down on the ground
    Bob flew all to pieces but randy he
    Held tight when a black man in a
    Suit and tie stepped out into the light
    He told his men to turn us loose
    They put down their guns
    He said these are just some
    Sorry kids, they ain't the ones
    Right or wrong, black or white
    Cross the line your gonna pay
    In the dawn before the light
    Live and die by the shades of gray
    We stole two Charolais heifers from
    Randy's sweetheart's paw
    Sold them at the livestock sale
    Outside of Wichita
    They left us by the roadside
    Down hearted and alone
    Randy got behind the wheel
    Said boys I'm going home
    We turned around to face our fate
    Downhearted but alive on that
    Mornin' in late April, Oklahoma, 1995

  4. J.... V....

    Hellyea!