Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Steve Earle
Canonical path: /steve-earle/what-s-a-simple-man-to-do
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
What's A Simple Man To Do?
Read What's A Simple Man To Do? lyrics by Steve Earle on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
What's A Simple Man To Do?
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Dear Graciela, I'm writin' this letter
Deep in the night and I'm all alone
It's nearly breakin' my heart to tell you
I'm so far away from home
I know I said I'd never cross the border
I know I promised to return to you
But I lost my job in the maquiladora
What's a simple man to do?
I met a man in Tijuana
Said he had a job for me to do
Standin' on a corner in San Diego
With a pocketful of red balloons
All I wanted was a little money
All I needed was a week or two
I never even saw the police comin'
What's a simple man to do?
Tell my mamma that I said I'm sorry
I know she didn't bring me up this way
Ask if she could light a candle for me
Pray that I'll come home someday
Oh Graciela, won't you please forgive me
I never meant to bring this shame to you
I lost my job in the maquiladora
What's a simple man to do?
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "What's A Simple Man To Do?"?
Steve Earle performs "What's A Simple Man To Do?", and this lyric page sits inside the Steve Earle catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "What's A Simple Man To Do?"?
Yes. The related section below points to All Of My Life and Me And The Eagle with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Steve Earle?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Steve Earle's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on What's A Simple Man To Do? yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.