Workingman

I been balling a shiny black steel jack-hammer,
Been chippin' up rocks for the great highway,
Live five years if i take my time,
Ballin' that jack and a drinkin' my wine.

I been chippin' them rocks from dawn till doom,
While my rider hide my bottle in the other room.
Doctor say better stop ballin' that jack,
If i live five years i gonna bust my back, yes i will.

Easy wind cross the bayou today
Cause there's a whole lotta women, mama,
Out in red on the streets today.
And the rivers keep a talkin',
But you never heard a word it said.

Gotta find a woman be good to me,
Won't hide my liquor try to serve me tea,
Cause i'm a stone jack baller and my heart is true
And i'll give everything that i got to you, yes i will.

Easy wind going cross the bayou today
There's a whole lotta women
Out in red on the streets today.
And the rivers keep a talkin',
But you never heard a word it said.

Please don't dominate the rap, jack, if you've got nothing new to say.
If you please, don't back up the track this train's got to run today.
I spent a little time on the mountain, i spent a little time on the hill
I heard someone say "better run away", others say "better stand still".

Now i don't know, but i been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
Other hand i have heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

Who can deny, who can deny, it's not just a change in style?
One step down and another begun and i wonder how many miles.
I spent a little time on the mountain, i spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we don't understand, but i think in time we will.
Now, i don't know but i was told in the heat of the sun a man died of cold.
Keep on coming or stand and wait, with the sun so dark and the hour so late.
You can't overlook the lack, jack, of any other highway to ride.
It's got no signs or dividing lines and very few rule to guide.

I saw things getting out of hand, i guess they always will.
Now i don't know but i been told
If the horse don't pull you got to carry the load.
I don't know whose back's that strong, maybe find out before too long.

One way or another, one way or another,
One way or another, this darkness got to give.

You told me good-bye, how was i to know
You didn't mean good-bye, you meant please don't let me go?

I was having a high time, living the good life, well i know

The wheels are muddy, got a ton of hay,
Now listen here, baby, 'cause i mean what i say.

I'm having a hard time, living the good life, well i know.

I was losing time, i had nothing to do,
No one to fight, i came to you.
Wheels broke down, leader won't draw,
The line is busted, the last one i saw.
Tomorrow come trouble, tomorrow come pain,
Now don't think too hard baby, 'cause i know what i'm saying.

I could show you a high time, living the good life, don't be that way.

Nothing's for certain, it could always go wrong,

We could have us a high time, living the good life, well i know.

Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more,
'cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.
Think this through with me, let me know your mind,
Wo, oh, what i want to know, is are you kind?

It's a buck dancer's choice my friend; better take my advice.
You know all the rules by now and the fire from the ice.
Will you come with me? won't you come with me?
Wo, oh, what i want to know, will you come with me?

Goddamn, well i declare, have you seen the like?
Their wall are built of cannonballs, their motto is "don't tread on me".
Come hear uncle john's band playing to the tide,
Come with me, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.

It's the same story the crow told me; it's the only one he knows.
Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go.
Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait,
Wo, oh, what i want to know, where does the time go?

I live in a silver mine and i call it beggar's tomb;
I got me a violin and i beg you call the tune,
Anybody's choice, i can hear your voice.
Wo, oh, what i want to know, how does the song go?

Come hear uncle john's band by the riverside,
Got some things to talk about, here beside the rising tide.

Come hear uncle john's band playing to the tide,
Come on along, or go alone, he's come to take his children home.
Wo, oh, what i want to know, how does the song go.