Ode to a Half a Pound of Ground Round

is the true story about the time I almost starved to death in Roanoke.

I got out on Tuesday night and spent all my money and didn't get to eat

again until Friday when I got paid.

This is the song about the time I nearly starved to death in

Roanoke, Virginia.

I woke up Wednesday morning in my little motel bed

Knowing I would die the minute that I move my head

I felt around to make sure I was in my bed alone

I meet some friendly people when I'm stoned.

My payday was on Friday I had two more days to go

Even in my agony I knew that I was broke

Lemme pay the check I said and keep the change my friend

She wiggled out of sight with my last ten.

At noon I realized there wasn't any way to eat

For lunch I just went out and shuffled up and down the street

At four o'clock I had a funny feeling in my chest

How long's it take to starve a man to death.

I found some pennies in my junk and bought a candy bar

Divided it in pieces and I ate one every hour

I just rolled into town and didn't know a single soul

There wasn't any way to make a loan.

--- Instrumental ---

Thursday morning I was nearly panicked on the job

I heard my stomach growlin' and my head began to throb

I contemplated murder of the folks that brought their lunch

The sudden smell of food would make me jump.

Thursday night they run all food commercials on TV

I slept till nine or ten and then I walked the floor to three

Friday morning I looked for some ketchup on my shirts

My mind was gone my legs began to hurt.

The last few minutes up to payin' time were all the worst

The minutes were the years it took to build the universe

Finally it came I got my check and made a dash

Yes, I said the man will eat at last.

Running down the sidewalk I could see the words so sweet

The sign was flashin' on and on Eat Eat Eat

A half o'pound of ground round ma'm and please don't cook it long

The frizzle of the grill was like a song.

I've traveled this world over and I ain't been hungry much

I've been down in my thinking and I've been down on my luck

But the sweetest meal I've ever had in anybody's town

Was a half a pound of plain ground round, ground round...