Lyrics

it all began in a old gas station
late one lazy July afternoon
no one had a clue what was about to happen
but they were going to find out soon
his credit card wouldn?t be accepted
with only two dollars in his billfold
his gas tank filled and a half eaten sandwich
wrapped up in a Miss July centrefold

whats a man to do
in such a situation
when he?s up against it
what a man to do

the place was run by a fellow named Thomas
as full of doubt as the weatherman
and sure enough his wife stopped believing
and ran off for good with another man
no one much cared about him one way or the other
he lived out back in a leaky shed
with a chair, a table and a sink with cold water
a black & white TV and a single bed


the customers name was Jackson Forthright
he tried his best to do the right thing
he and his girlfriend got started a little early
so he went right out and bought a wedding ring
he worked hard driving all over everywhere
but travelling salesmen were a dying breed
with the internet swallowing up more and more business
and him with seven hungry mouths to feed

so the moment came and Jackson didn?t have the money
and Thomas didn?t have the patience or goodwill
Jackson said, ?if you don?t want me to blow your brains out,
you better get busy and open that till?
Thom couldn?t see no gun but he was taking no chances
he quickly complied and stepped out of range
Jack grabbed two twenties started walking backwards
threw them on the floor and said, ?keep the change?

now Thomas fell down and started out laughing
holding his belly curled up on the floor
Jackson couldn?t see the audience out there
he was too busy backing out the door
with blue lights flashing and marksmen at the ready
and sirens wailing a terrible din
five police cruisers had stopped by for coffee
ten fine officers stood scratching their chins

words & music by George Bacon ã2003



george@cottagepiemusic.demon.co.uk