I heard how all the lights went out in Memphis On the death night anniversary of the king The pretenders talking dirty in the palace But it doesn't have that old familiar ring I see there's been some changes in the valley All the renegades have finally settled down Now they worship in the temples of their rivals And desecrate the holy heart of town Can't you hear all those sweet voices singing? Takin' care of the chosen ones Can't you hear all those mission bells ringin'? Say a prayer for the chosen ones I read they're pourin' oil on troubled waters Yet they cast a giant shadow on the land Let's spend another night across the border And bury all our secrets in the sand Now they claim there is a message in the Bible They swear there is no master and his slave But the future's lookin' dim for the lonesome cowboy When the hand that rocks that cradle digs the grave