Tattle Tales

My daddy once told me,

A man's word is all that he's got.

Well baby sticks and stones

I'm just skin and bones

And a man's only good as his shot.

So what's the point in splittin' hairs,

When you can take the whole scalp and run

There's a lot of miles between here and there,

When you're on the wrong side of the gun.

Jesus don't like no tattle tales,

He wants you just to mind your own,

There'll be plenty of things to talk about children

When you're standing there at the throne.

Started pedalin' knick knacks

Thingamajigs and wares,

Steady diet of tic tacs,

Dried figs and gin-soaked pears.

There ain't no tellin'

How long it's a-gonna last,

Yes I'm gettin' spread mighty thin.

I'm all worn out and I'm fadin' fast,

I need some more medicine.

Repeat Chorus

And I said whoa, oh me,

He's got a hold on me.

I said whoa, oh me,

Got a letter this mornin'

Shannon's on the run,

Post marked from Buenos Ares,

She's got her freckles out in the sun.

She better stay out of trouble lord,

Unless she wants to put up a fight.

Now if she gets a taste of that potato liquor,

She'll be howlin' at the moon all night.

Repeat Chorus

I think I'll head down to Dixie land,

Where at least I gotta place to hide.

I owe the devil more than I'm worth,

Save your breath I've already tried.

Lord knows I've already tried.

I think I'll hit up the church,

Confess my sins, and put some money in that offerin' plate,

And if anyone asks if you've seen me around,

Tell them they'll just have to wait.

Repeat Chorus