Story Behind The Song
Bel Esprit tells the tale of a wise man quitting a life sucking job, despite his state of poverty, to hitchhike his way across the continent and find freedom in a life on the road away from corporate and societal trappings.
Song Description
Bel Esprit is a Country Rock song with a driving rhythm section, warm vocals and bright guitars that create a spirit of movement and freedom.
| Song Length |
3:24 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Country - Rock |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Content, Joyful |
Subject |
Freedom, General |
| Similar Artists |
Greg Brown, Dwight Yoakum |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
My thumb is out, I'm walkin' slow
The semi horns are blowin'
I bat my eyes and smile wide
But the cars all keep goin'
Wet and cold but not hung dry
No don't feel bad for me
Half blind on cheap Chablis
I'm my own boss and business sucks for this
Poor man's bel esprit, oh bel esprit
A year ago I'd had enough
Soul leakin' like a sieve
I grew the guts to call my bluff
Of a life unfit to live
In just another day or two I'll be swimmin' in the sea
That warm and turquoise sea
What did I do to earn this luck?
I'm a poor man's bel esprit, oh bel esprit
Pork and beans is fine with me
A car stops here and there
Eatin' apples off 'a trees
I've seen a couple bears
I'm sure not rich in most folks eyes
And that's alright by me, at least I'm free
Worked some on a loggin' truck
I'm a poor man's bel esprit, oh bel esprit
Got shot at once and dove a ditch
And damn near stayed down there
Someone said my friend from jail
Now lives up in Eau Claire
Last time that I gave a hoot
My beard was a goatee
And my buddy's half Pawnee
My karma's startin' to feel unstuck
I'm a poor man's bel esprit, oh bel esprit
I sofa surf and live potluck
I'm a poor man's bel esprit, oh bel esprit