Joe Henry's voice isn't instantly accessible, make no mistake about that. But he's a heck of a songwriter. His song King's Highway tells a story that might even be too bleak for Johnny Cash to have recorded. This song gave me chills when I actually listened to the story. Gov't Mule does a great cover version, but this video features Henry performing it himself:

For those of you who're curious, but don't want to watch the music video, the lyrics to King's Highway are:

I might just change my mind
Sometimes you can never tell
Where a story will unwind
Or how deep is a shallow well

Sometimes you would never guess
Who's all talk and who just might
Find a way or lose themselves
On the King's Highway tonight

I am just like many more
Who lie in bed still and numb
Waking up and I can see
Just how dark it has become

Who knows no better angels now
Who knows none but an earthly light
Who's waiting for a stranger
On the King's Highway tonight

Wasn't how I had it planned
When it finally came around
I took a man with my own hands
But I held him close when he went down

He hadn't time to be afraid
His look was only of surprise
Staring up from where he laid
On the King's Highway tonight

I took the little that he had
Only as an afterthought
He wouldn't have to feel so bad
To think I killed him just because

He was passing through this town
Only 'cause he looked about right
He stopped when I flagged him down
On the King's Highway tonight

I might just change my mind
Sometimes you can never tell

Labels: Gov't Mule, Johnny Cash, Music, You Tube