Po' Boy

[Verse 1] Man comes to the door—I say, “For whom are you looking?” He says, “Your wife,” I say, “She’s busy in the kitchen cooking” Poor boy—where you been? I already told you—won’t tell you again [Verse 2] I say, “How much you want for that?” I go into the store The man says, “Three dollars.” “All right,” I say, “Will you take four?” Poor boy—never say die Things will be all right by and by [Verse 3] Been working on the mainline—working like the devil The game is the same—it’s just on a different level Poor boy—dressed in black Police at your back [Verse 4] Poor boy in a red hot town Out beyond the twinkling stars Riding first-class trains—making the rounds Trying to keep from falling between the cars [Verse 5] Othello told Desdemona, “I’m cold, cover me with a blanket By the way, what happened to that poison wine?” She says, “I gave it to you, you drank it” Poor boy, laying them straight—picking up the cherries falling off the plate [Verse 6] Time and love has branded me with its claws Had to go to Florida, dodging them Georgia laws Poor boy, in the hotel called the Palace of Gloom Calls down to room service, says send up a room [Verse 7] My mother was a daughter of a wealthy farmer My father was a traveling salesman, I never met him When my mother died, my uncle took me in—he ran a funeral parlor He did a lot of nice things for me and I won’t forget him [Verse 8] All I know is that I’m thrilled by your kiss I don’t know any more than this Poor boy, picking up sticks Build you a house out of mortar and bricks [Verse 9] Knocking on the door, I say, “Who is it and where are you from?” Man says, “Freddy!” I say, “Freddy who?” He says, “Freddy or not here I come” Poor boy beneath the stars that shine Washing them dishes, feeding them swine