Lament

I guess, I tried to show you how
I'd take the crowd with my guitar
And business men would clap their hands
And clip another fat cigar.

And publishers would spread the news
And print my music far and wide
All the kids who played the blues
Would learn my licks with a bottle neck slide.

But now it seems the bubble's burst
'Though you know there was a time
When love songs gathered in my head
With poetry in every line.

And strong men strove to hold the doors
While with my friends I passed that age
People stomped on dirty floors
Before I trod the rock 'n' roll stage.

Thank the man, who's on the 'phone
If he has the time to spend
The problem I'll explain once more
And indicate a sum to lend.

Ten percent is now a joke
Maybe thirty, even thirty-five
I'll say, my daddy's had a stroke
He'd have one now, if he only was alive.

I like the way you look at me
You're laughin' too down there inside
I took my chance and you took yours
You crewed my ship, we missed the tide.

I like the way the music goes
There's a few good guys who can play it right
I like the way it moves my toes
Say when you want to go and dance all night.