I think many of us learned this song from the Judy Collins album on her Fifth Album, and the Digital Tradition transcription is very close to her version. Here's my transcription (differences from the DT are in bold):

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THIRSTY BOOTS
(Eric Andersen - as recorded by Judy Collins)

You've long been on the open road
You've been sleepin' in the rain
From the dirt of words and mud of cells
Your clothes are dark and stained.
But the dirty words, the muddy cells
Will soon be judged insane
So only stop to rest yourself
And you'll be off again.

Then take off your thirsty boots
And stay for awhile
Your feet are hot and weary
From a dusty mile
And maybe I can make you laugh
And maybe I can try
I'm Just lookin' for the evening
And the morning in your eye.

Then tell me of the ones you've seen
As far as you could see
Across the plain from field to town
A-marching to be free
And of the rusted prison gates
That tumbled by degree
Like laughing children one by one
They look like you and me

CHORUS

I know you are no stranger down
The crooked rainbow trails
From dancing cliff-edged shattered sills
Of slandered, shackled jails
But the melodies drift from below
As the walls they're being scaled
Yes, and all of this and more my friend
Your song shall not be failed.

CHORUS

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Words and music by Eric Andersen, copyright 1965 by United Artists Music, all rights reserved.

Recorded on his Bout Changes 'N Things.
@love
filename[ THIRBOOT
DC


from Judy Collins Fifth Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIwTJ5m7pw

The John Denver recording of this song is very nice, by the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ9j8rglu28