John Prine

Lyrics Billy the bum John Prine

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Billy the bum


Billy the bum lived by the thumb
And sang of the hobo's delight
He'd prove he could run
Twice as fast as the sun
By losing his shadow at night
Now he loved every girl
In this curly headed world
But no one will know it seems
For two twisted legs and a childhood disease
Left Billy just a bum in his dreams

Chorus:
And he was just a gentle boy
A real florescent light
Cried pennies on Sunday morning
Laughs nickels on Saturday night
And your bullets they can't harm him
Nor your knives tear him apart
Humiliation killed him
God bless his little heart

Now he lived all alone
In a run down home
Near the side of the old railroad track
Where the trains used to run
Carrying freight by the ton
And blow the whistle as Billy'd wave back
But the children around Billy's home town
Seemed to have nothin' better to do
Then run around his house
With their tongues from their mouth
And make fun of that crippled old fool

(Repeat chorus)

Now some folks they wait
And some folks they pray
For Jesus to rise up again
But none of these folks
In their holy cloaks
Ever took Billy on as a friend
For pity's a crime
And it ain't worth a dime
To a person who's really in need
Just treat 'em the same
As you would your own name
Next time that your heart starts to bleed

(Repeat chorus)

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The lyrics BILLY THE BUM of JOHN PRINE is also present in the album Diamonds in the rough (1972)

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Biografia

John Prine is an American singer-songwriter born in 1946, known for his lyrical prowess and sense of humor. His music, blending folk and country elements, has captivated a wide and loyal audience with its realistic lyrics and memorable characters. Among his most famous songs are "Sam Stone", a reflection on the Vietnam War, and "Illegal Smile", an ironic song about the power of music. Prine was influenced by artists like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan but developed a unique style that made him an icon of contemporary American music. He has collaborated with numerous artists, including Bonnie Raitt and Kris Kristofferson. Some of his most important albums include "John Prine" (1972), "Sweet Revenge" (1979) and "The Missing Years" (1991).

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