Leavin Myself

 

At the Beez Blue Bar one Monday night

Upset ‘cause my baby wasn’t doin me right

I’z pourin gin and plottin my revenge

I wrote all about it in a brand new song

I’d tell the world how she done me wrong

Then she’d come beggin, makin amends

 

Open mike night and a real thin crowd

A bully pulpit for cryin out loud

Will somebody please tune my guitar?

I did a Buck Owens song to challenge their wits

And a medley of Freddy Fender hits

Then took a swig of lukewarm Lone Star

 

I finished that mess to polite applause

Then after a melancholy pause

I did the one I’d come there to do

With hat in hand and heart on sleeve

I thanked ‘em twice and took my leave

An old man said, “Son, you could use a clue.”

 

He said, “Don’t nobody want to hear that crap

We all know that love’s no snap

You ain’t breakin news, just breakin wind

We know what a drag romance can be

Without your forlorn biography

There’s no need to hear it all again

If you’ve got somethin different, then git it in gear

But we’ve already got a jukebox here

Why don’t you drop in a dime?”

He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place

The raspy voice or craggy face

I said, “Old man, do you always talk in rhyme?”

 

He said, “It’s your song, Hoss.  You tell me.”

 

Talkin to myself, ‘cause won’t nobody else

Give me the time of day

Moanin, groanin, all alone, feelin put upon

Ain’t got a decent word to say

About nothin or no one, hey, I’m a ball of fun

But what’s a poor loser to do?

Chonkin my guitar, feelin sick and sorry

I’m thinkin of leavin me, too.

 

Tom Hale                Home