Nothing new in this old town
The sun comes up and heads back down
Working hard from dawn to dusk again
Seventeen and a heart for a change
The byways calling out his name
But not yet
There's too much goin' on
'Cause daddy needs a hand and mama's
Tender heart might crumble to the ground
Though they'd understand
He felt like saying

[Chorus:]
When it's time to go
You've got to let me go away and face the world
Say goodbye, say goodbye
Cry some tears, don't worry
When I hit the city I'll build you a house right down the street from mine
Have some faith in me and I'll show you why

Some years later lare one night
He came in tryin; to dry his eyes
He realized what he was born to do
He said I'll always be your son
And I know you know what's goin' on
It's the hardest thing to think of leavin' you
But this world needs a hand and I've got
Just the thing they need to make it through
It's so clear to me though I know what's coming

[Chorus:]
When it's time to go
You've got to let me go away and face the world
Say goodbye, say goodbye
Cry some tears, don't worry
When I hit the city I'll build you a house right down the street from mine
Have some faith in me and I'll show you why

And as they tore His flesh like animals
There were those I know who felt Him say
When it's time to go
You've got to let me go away and save the world
Say goodbye, say goodbye
Cry some tears, don't worry
When I hit the city I'll build you a house right down the street from mine
Oh, have some faith in me and I'll show you why