|
Billy, Boney and Ma
|
by Townes Van Zandt
|
|
Well, Billy went down to the battleground
|
to find a little trinket he could call his own
|
didn't see nothin' lying around
|
he decided he'd dig awhile
|
well he dug her up and he dug her down
|
'fore too long he found some bones
|
poor little Billy couldn't make a sound
|
when the bones sat up and smiled
|
|
Oh Billy you seem like a fine young man
|
no reason to be a tremblin' soul
|
come over here and shake my hand
|
make my proud acquaintance
|
Well Billy he was stunned he could hardly stand
|
whether he could move he didn't know
|
but he knew he had to formulate some kinda plan
|
or try the boneman's patience
|
|
The first thing he wanted to do was breathe
|
so he gulped in some of that battleground air
|
next thing he wanted to do was leave
|
but Billy wasn't raised up rude
|
Well the boneman grunted and he gave a heave
|
all of a sudden he was loomin' there
|
shakin off dirt and actin pleased
|
things didn't look too good
|
|
Well Billy decided what the hell
|
you don't meet a boneman every day
|
A little bit skinny but you never can tell
|
he might be a pretty good guy
|
Well they started off with the old soft sell
|
'fore too long they were jawin' away
|
by the time the darkness fell
|
they were seein' socket to eye
|
|
They decided right then on a life of crime
|
with the boneman's looks and Billy's brains
|
they could scare old Scrooge out of his last dime
|
Might as well have a go
|
Billy he would picked the place and time
|
from the corner store to the railroad train
|
Boney'd flash him a smile sublime
|
and Billy he'd grab the dough
|
|
They decided they might as well start right then
|
Time's awastin' so they say
|
they headed for the park
|
where the lights are dim
|
and only the foolish tread
|
he was whistlin' a tune
|
when they spotted him strollin' along
|
so plump and gay
|
Boney gave him a great big grin
|
and Billy snagged his bread
|
|
Next come a lady of the night
|
Boney saddled up and said hello
|
gave the poor thing such a terrible fright
|
she fainted dead away
|
Billy lifted her purse and her earrings bright
|
diamond rings and watch you know
|
couldn't figure out try as they might
|
why they'd ever worked a single day
|
|
Billy's plans ended up in ruin you know
|
they were workin' a quaint little neighborhood
|
spied an old lady about eighty or so
|
almost looked too easy
|
Boney put on a pretty good show
|
the little ol' lady didn't see too good
|
My kind Sir your all bones you know
|
you need something hot and greasy
|
|
Grabbed ol' Boney drug him inside
|
Billy peeked in through the window sill
|
she fed him boiled and baked and fried
|
Ol' Boney he's chewin like crazy
|
he gobbled up everything he tried
|
pounds added on like you know they will
|
Billy laid down in the dirt and cried
|
watchin Boney Gettin fat and lazy
|
|
Well Billy's back workin his job by day
|
sleep'n nights it ain't so bad
|
never liked stealin anyway
|
kinda gives a guy the willies
|
Boney and Ma got a new cafe
|
best baked beans you ever had
|
Ma's expecting any day
|
and they say they're gonna name him Billy
|
|
|
|
-----------------
|
Billy, Boney and Ma
|
| Townes Van Zandt |
