Mark Of Cain, The

I have dark dreams of that murderous night
I see the hammer swing and the blood run bright
Then the sky rolls back in a blinding light
And I cannot hide from the master’s sight
I don’t ask to be spared the criminal’s shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman’s rope and the fire’s flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain
I had my good reasons to do the deed
For a lover’s treason sows the devil’s seed
And revenge is the fire that dragon breathes
And murder’s the madness that hatred breeds
I don’t ask to be spared the criminal’s shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman’s rope and the fire’s flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain
Come this very morning when the rooster crows
Only the preacher will pray for my soul
They’ll hang me high and bury me low
In a Potter’s Field where the cold wind blows
I don’t ask to be spared the criminal’s shame
I deserve these bars and the ball and chain
The hangman’s rope and the fire’s flame
For the dark in my heart is the mark of Cain