It was early in the day
The market street was busy
An average sized crowd had gathered
He played sitting on a high stool
Banjo boy why are you not in school
The music was amazing
His talent evident
He looked thirteen years of age
Certainly nobody’s fool
Banjo boy why are you not in school
There was cash thrown into his case
His audience was enthralled
By the artistry he displayed
Mesmerized by his stringed tool
Banjo boy why are you not in school
His jeans were raggedy
Shoes worn and soiled
Hair unwashed and straggly
But still he was pretty cool
Banjo boy why are you not in school?
On closer look
There was sadness in his eyes
He looked a little malnourished
Under that sweater of wool
Banjo boy why are you not in school
Likely homeless or a peddler
Making money with his gift
Impressing all with his music
His situation seeming cruel
Banjo boy why are you not in school
His flair for performance
Was evident in his ease
The dirty street was his oasis
Convenient and free was the rule
Banjo boy why are you not in school
I stared at him through a prism
Seeing his potential multiplied
Wishing him the success he needed
To extricate himself from this cesspool
Banjo boy why are you not in school
I love today’s prompt for Song Lyric Sunday . As soon as I saw it was “Street” the first song that jumped into my mind was Positively 4th Street, by Bob Dylan. He recorded it on July 29, 1965.
Dylan wrote great poetry and this song represents some of his best. The last four lines are my favorites:
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes You’d know what a drag it is to see you I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes And just for that one moment I could be you
Let’s celebrate our own 2017 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature with Positively 4th Street.
LYRICS
Positively 4th Street by Bob Dylan
You’ve got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend
When I was down you just stood there grinnin’
You’ve got a lotta nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on the side that’s winnin’
You say I let you down, ya know its not like that
If you’re so hurt, why then don’t you show it?
You say you’ve lost your faith, but that’s not where its at
You have no faith to lose, and ya know it
I know the reason, that you talked behind my back
I used to be among the crowd you’re in with
Do you take me for such a fool, to think I’d make contact
With the one who tries to hide what he don’t know to begin with?
You see me on the street, you always act surprised
You say “how are you?”, “good luck”, but ya don’t mean it
When you know as well as me, you’d rather see me paralyzed
Why don’t you just come out once and scream it
No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief perhaps I’d rob them
And tho I know you’re dissatisfied with your position and your place
Don’t you understand, its not my problem?
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is to see you
