http://audio.msk.ru/waits/ra/romeo_is_bleeding/index.ram
Well, I’m a jitterbug boy
by the shoe-shine
resting on my laurels
and my Hardys too
life of Riley on a swing shift
girlss follow my drift
Once upon a time I was
in show-biz too
I seen the Brooklyn Dodgers
playin at Ebbets Field
seen the Kentucky Derby too
(but nowadays due to circumstances beyond my control)
it’s fast women, slow horses, I’m reliable sources
and I’m holding up a lamp post
if you want to know
I seen the Wabash Cannonball,
buddy, I’ve done it all
* * *
all my friends are married
every Tom and Dick and Harry
you must be strong
to go it alone
here’s to the bachelors
and the bowery bums
and those who feel that they’re the ones
who are better off without a wife
I like to sleep until the crack of noon
midnight howlin’ at the moon
goin’ out when I wanto, comin’ home when I please
I don’t have to ask permission
if I want to go out fishing
and I never have to ask for the keys
never been no Valentino
had a girl who lived in Reno
left me for a trumpet player
didn’t get me down
he was wanted for assault
though he said it weren’t his fault
well the coppers rode him right
out of town
I like to sleep until the crack of noon
midnight howlin’ at the moon
goin’ out when I wanto, comin’ home when I please
I don’t have to ask permission
if I want to go out fishing
and I never have to ask for the keys
selfish about my privacy
as long as I can be with me
we get along so well I can’t believe
I love to chew the fat with folks
and listen to all your dirty jokes
I’m so thankful for these friends
I do receive
I like to sleep until the crack of noon
midnight howlin’ at the moon
goin’ out when I wanto, comin’ home when I please
I don’t have to ask permission
if I want to go out fishing
and I never have to ask for the keys
* * *
beause I slept with the lions
and Marilyn Monroe
had breakfast in the eye
of a hurricane
fought Rocky Marciano,
played Minnesota Fats
burned hundred-dollar bills,
I eaten Mulligan stew
got drunk with Louis Armstrong
what’s that old song?
I taught Mickey Mantle
everything that he knows
and so you ask me
what I’m doing here
holding up a lamp post
flippin this quarter,
trying to make up my mind
and if it’s heads I’ll go to
Tennessee, and tails I’ll buy a drink
if it lands on the edge
I’ll keep talking to you
(Tom Waits)