There ain’t no Santa Claus on the evenin’ stage There ain’t no way t’ pull the curtain ‘N hide from hunger’s rage There ain’t no town t’ stop in There ain’t no time t’ stop in There ain’t no straw for my horse There ain’t no straw for my bed There ain’t no comfort in cold boards There ain’t no rumours or food for my stomach ‘N someday I’m gonna be saved ‘Cause I gotta eat ‘n drink ‘n breathe ‘n sleep ‘N I’m ah slave Down in hominy’s grotto there’s ah soul die’n ‘n leavin’ Every second on the evenin’ stage There’s ah soul die’n ‘n rottin’ ‘n pickin’ Some new kinda cotton With his fingers broken ‘n his heart ‘n back forgotten There ain’t no Santa Claus on the evenin’ stage