[Verse 1] When the white oak leaves are rustling 'round the courtyard Tell the cook to leave the kitchen window down Just don't lock it from inside, I might still need a place to hide When I turn to face the horses and the hounds [Verse 2] Sister says to come on back for Christmas Mama's wondering why I never come around Lord I've been running for so long I just can't find a way back home So I'll turn to face the horses and the hounds [Chorus] You might hear some gears a'grinding (Gears a'grinding) 'Fore I can get this rig turned back around (Turned around) And head back down the highway winding Back towards the horses and the hounds [Verse 3] I thought I'd found a love to last me 'Til she opted for that candy coated clown I didn't even make a show, I just walked on and let 'em go Still I'm running from the horses and the hounds [Chorus] You might hear some gears a'grinding (Gears a'grinding) 'Fore I can get this rig turned back around (Turned around) And head back down the highway winding (Highway winding) Back towards the horses and the hounds Straight towards the horses and the hounds [Verse 4] On the Trail's Inn Motel sign rides a warrior With his horse run out and his lance a'pointed down That's as far as he's gonna get, and he surely knows what's coming next He's just waiting on the horses, the horses and the hounds [Chorus] You might hear some gears a'grinding (Gears a'grinding) 'Fore I can get this rig turned back around And head back down the highway winding (Highway winding) Back towards the horses and the hounds You might hear some gears a'grinding (Gears a'grinding) 'Fore I can get this rig turned back around (Turned around) And head back down the highway winding (Highway winding) Back towards the horses and the hounds Straight towards the horses and the hounds [Outro] And I bet they hear it halfway back to town When I turn to face the horses The horses and the hounds