Off The Books

The only way to roll is off the books

Never really up to any good

I've been a shoeless cobbler for as long as I remember

And I'm always having trouble staying put

Sorry, I'm no longer taking checks

Pay me bills no larger than a ten

The less you own, the more you get to hitch a ride and leave

The longer that you stay, you're just a fading mystery

And the more they buy, the more you'll sell the junk you'll never need

So the only way to roll is off the books

You see me on the corner in the rain

Just waiting for the vans to hit the brakes

You say

Apprentice is hung over, can you haul a stack of lumber?

Can you fill the holes before a coat of paint

I say, I stand knee-deep in shit

I wish my well upon your lazy kids

They say

He's such an able worker, thing or two about the trade

If only he would stay in one place for more than days

And earn a wage instead of running 'round and getting paid

But off the books is easier anyway

The only way to roll is off the books

Can't find you if they don't know where to look

So I'll say it off the record that I leave without a trace

Come to think of it, you never even knew my last name

My history is written on the walls under the paint

'Cause the only way to roll is off the books

There's an army hiding underneath the table

In solidarity I march along

You wanna stand around and watch the kettle

Someone else will gladly take you to your crummy job

You wanna stand around and watch the kettle

Someone else will gladly take you to your crummy job

So the only way to roll is off the books