Today we might call him "homeless", but in 1975, we called him a "bum".
We (Deb - the girl who would become my wife - and I) happened upon him one day as we walked in the South Florida area where we lived and worked. (I was playing a regular bar gig, Deb waited tables (Ft. Lauderdale). We rented a one room garage apartment (not far from "homeless" ourselves)).
For a couples of hours we listened to the stories he spun - all the while "bumming" cigarettes from us. The price of admission.
We gave him the remainder of the pack when we went on our way...
THE BUM i met a bum on the beach in boca
he said the islands is where i belong
if i was thirty years younger, i'd swim there
followin' the smell of the rum
he used his coat for a pillow
the state of the world for a crutch
he'd tell you a story for spare cigarette
two if you were a soft touch
his hands were swollen and bleeding
his stories as raw as they come
his whole life a matter of waiting to hear
he traveled the world on a thumb
i've sold more lies than the devil himself
bought love for more than it's worth
sailed every body of water there is
known every woman on the face of this earth
i could have been rich if i wanted
i could have been in heaven tonight
but a poor man sees a whole lot more
and i stuck around for the fight
success is just one way to grow old
mister's a name i'm not called
yeah, i could have been rich if i wanted
but getting back here is too long a fall
alaska, jamiaca, new zealand
i speak at least seven tongues
been drunk in london, in jail in hong kong
and twice almost got myself hung
well, i might die tomorrow
if i were you i wouldn't take bets
look me up next time you're around
hey, can you spare one more cigarette
The BAND:
RealTracks in song: ~520:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~407:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 623:Banjo, Background Backporch Ev 098
RealTracks in song: 1608:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16ths Ev16 110
RealTracks in song: ~622:Pedal Steel, Background Waylon Ev 176
RealTracks in song: ~618:Fiddle, Background Allis Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2172:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~597:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes
Hope you enjoy the stories as much as we did.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Comments welcome.
Have at it.
floyd
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