BEGGARS & MULES

I always did like music, and I always did like wine
I always liked em best when they was mine
I’d heard enough of Nashville to give a happy man the blues
So I took a job for nothing as a beggar and a mule
         And I hauled my cart and guitar
         And I stood outside the door
         Singin: Listen to me, listen . . .
         Won’t you listen to me, sir?
                  Well fuck that cause I’ve got too much pride
                  Fuck that cause I got clear
                  And fuck them that got no heart at all
                  Or the balls to trust their ears

And I sat upon the sidewalks and I saddled up my sides
And I chewed my cud and washed it down with pride
Catnip and barleycorn, and made ready for the show
And I lost myself in stories of the hard luck and morose
         And the people pitched me pennies
         And they pounded on the glass
         Then they left to see the painted man
         And I left to pack my ass
                  Well good goddamn another empty town
                  Goddamn another shell
                  Goddamn cause when I ride back home
                  I’m a stranger there as well

And I can’t say they weren’t good to me, can’t say they weren’t kind
It’s more the way they weighted down my mind
And it’s more the lack of dignity and the hustle and the hounds
To take your hat off while you’re playin’ -- just to lay it on the ground
         It was never for the money
         Or the whistles and applause
         And I will not tip my hat
         Unless you sing me back a song
                  God bless the sound of music
                  God bless the golden rule
                  That’s why all my friends are beggars
                  And all my friends are mules

Copyright 2004. Words and music by Danny Schmidt.