Next Time Around

Semifinalist, 2004 MOVA Songwriting Competition.

mp3 Bimini Road, Berkeley Bob's Coffee House, February, 2005.

Well, I stood around watching
Just as long as I could
There was no need in bitching
And even if there was
Any reason at all
Nobody would
Might as well have been a hanging
Tie a rope to the tree
If I had been a stranger
I'd have been a lot
Happier then
Than a man like me

Next time around
I may have to be cruel
Well, then I will
But I swear, by God
That I won't be fooled
Oh, no, I won't

Who'd thought they could do it?
They were too well hid
I'd a said, "Just screw it"
Probably let it go
Anywhere at all
And be glad I did.
But the thing was finished
And it stood up proud
All shiny and polished
And the marketeers
With their megaphones
Shouted out real loud

Do you just get a single
Opportunity
When you hang your shingle
And announce you're here,
With your stuff all set
Ready to be free?
And if you bend over double
Working overtime
Shouldna taken the trouble
Sweating that sweat
Eating that crap
Till you're past your prime

Hope there's déjà vu
Up around the bend
And if it's all true
That it rolls around
On another track
To me again
Then I'm gonna be reckless
And I'm gonna be hot
Beause life is thankless,
Cruel and hard
Short and sweet
When a man is not