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Billy the Bum - John Prine
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Tabbed by: Dave S.
Email: Dlgibson@netscape.com
Tuning: Standard
Artist: John Prine
Album: Diamonds in the Rough
Year: 1972
Intro:
BFFCFFC
Billy the bum lived by the thumb and sang of the hobo's delight
C
He'd prove he could run twice as fast as the sun
F
By losing his shadow at night
F
Now he loved every girl in this curly headed world
Bb
But no one will know it seems
BbF
For two twisted legs and a childhood disease
CF
Left Billy just a bum in his dreams
Chorus:
BbFCF
And he was just a gentle boy, A real florescent light
BbFC
Cried pennies on Sunday morning, Laughs nickels on Saturday night
FBb
And your bullets they can't harm him Nor your knives tear him apart
FCF
Humiliation killed him God bless his little heart
F
Now he lived all alone In a run down home
FC
Near the side of the old railroad track
C
Where the trains used to run Carrying freight by the ton
F
And blow the whistle as Billy'd wave back
F
But the children around Billy's home town
FBb
Seemed to have nothin' better to do
BbF
Then run around his house With their tongues from their mouth
CF
And make fun of that cripped old fool
(Repeat chorus)
F
Now some folks they wait And some folks they pray
C
For Jesus to rise up again, But none of these folks
F
In their holy cloaks Ever took Billy on as a friend
F
For pity's a crime And it ain't worth a dime
Bb
To a person who's really in need
BbF
Just treat em the same As you would your own name
CF
Next time that your heart starts to bleed