Wharf Rat (Live at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC, 4/12/78)

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Old man down Way down, down by the docks of the city Blind and dirty Asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee I got no dime, but I got some time to hear his story [Verse 2] My name is August West And I love my Pearly Baker best, more than my wine More than my wine More than my maker, though he's no friend of mine [Verse 3] Everyone said I'd come to no good I knew I would, Pearly, believed them Half of my life I spent doing time for some other fucker's crime The other half found me Stumbling around, drunk on burgundy wine [Bridge] But I'll get back on my feet someday The good Lord willing, if He says I may I know that the life I'm living's no good I'll get a new start, live the life I should I'll get up and fly away I'll get up and fly away, fly away [Verse 4] Pearly's been true True to me, true to my dying day, he said I said to him I said to him, I'm sure she's been I said to him, I'm sure she's been true to you [Instrumental Break] [Verse 5] I got up and wandered Wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just to hang around I've got a girl Named Bonny Lee, I know that girl's been true to me I know she's been, I'm sure she's been true to me