Tell me what a young man Mama
Whats he got to live for
Tossed in the shuffle of everyday war
Searchin for some trouble
Which Im sure he will find
Spend your whole life fightin son
Meet your dyin time

Its a shame
Its a shame
The trigger be his only friend
Its a shame, oh yeh
But it aint never gonna end

Hes a pocketful of hate
That dont give a damn
What fate awaits the machine gun man?
Well, he aint got no future
And he aint got no plan
What fate awaits the machine gun man?

I cant see tomorrow
And I dont see today
Trail of confusion done leadin my way
They say the only thing worth killin Lord
Be killin time
I say the only soul worth savin now Mama
Resavin mine

Its a shame
Its a shame
The trigger be his only friend
Its a shame, oh yeh
But it aint never gonna end

Hes a pocketful of hate
That dont give a damn
What fate awaits the machine gun man?
Well, he aint got no future
And he aint got no plan
What fate awaits the machine gun man?

He keeps shootin mama like any old fool would do
Lord, the life he be leadin aint the one he has to choose
As he walks on out that door
Mama breaks down to cry
As she waves the machien gun man
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye...