There's a single mother working
Trying hard to make ends meet
She's got two boys and another on the way

And it's a cold and crowded winter
In a West Virginia shack
And she cries

Lord, Lord, when are you coming back

Old man down by the river

With a bottle in his hand
It's as empty as the pockets in his clothes
And he's drifting off to somewhere

Walking down the railroad track
Singin' Lord, Lord, when are you coming back


CHORUS
Is it gonna be Monday
Is it gonna be Tuesday, Lord

Is it gonna be mornin', nighttime or noon
I know it's gonna be one day
Sooner or later, yea

But the way it's been lately
I hope it's gonna be soon


It's getting loose around the edges
But I know you're gonna take up the slack
Lord, Lord, when are you coming back


(Chorus)


I've been reading the local paper
I've been watching the nightly news
Yea, this ole world's just rippin' at the seams

And with a past, dark and brooding
And a future looking black
It's got me thinkin'

Lord, Lord when are you coming back
Lord, Lord when are you coming back
Lord, Lord when are you coming back


(Chorus)