Who were crucified for what they tried to show
And you still can hear me singin' to the people who don't listen
'Cause the truth remains that no one wants to know
So with a stomach full of empty and pocket full of dreams
"You ain't making any money, are you?"
Well, that old man was a stranger, but I'd heard his song before
And if you should die explainin' how the things that they complain about
I left my pride and stepped inside a bar
If I never have a nickel, I won't ever die of shame
You see, The Devil haunts a hungry man
Actually I guess you'd call it a tavern
And their voices have been scattered by the swirlin' winds of time
In the mirror I could see him checkin' me and my guitar
Are things they could be changin', Who d'you think's goin' to care?
I was born a lonely singer and I'm bound to die the same
I ain't sayin' I beat the Devil but I drank his beer for nothing
To the things that I am sayin', prayin' someone's goin' to hear
I got some you ought to hear, then he laid it on me
He nodded at my guitar and said, "It's a tough life, ain't it?"
I said, "You've been readin' my mail"
If you don't want to join him you've got to beat him
There were other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind
I saw that there was just one old man sittin' at the bar
He turned and said, "Come up here boy and show us what you are"
Friendly shadows
If you waste your time talkin' to the people who don't listen
To the things that you are sayin', Who do you think's goin' to hear?
Cigarette smoke to the ceilin', sawdust on the floor
Back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door When nothing stood behind me but my shadow on the floor
Keep the chilly wind off my guitar
To warm the frozen feeling that was eating at my soul
I just looked at him and he said
He just smiled and said, "Let me see that guitar"
My thirsty wanted whiskey, my hungry needed beans
I said, "I'm dry", he bought me a beer
But it'd been a month of pay days since I'd heard that eagle scream
But I've got to feed the hunger in my soul
Are things they could be changin', hopin' someone's goin' to care
And then I stole his song
And lonesome was more than a state of mind
And I guess I'll die explainin' how the things that they complain about
