Meanest man lyrics

Artist  : Billy bragg 
Song : Meanest man
 
If the folks next door to me wasn’t so good
I’d do all the mean things anybody could
I’d drink and I’d gamble and I’d louse around
I’d be the meanest man in this whole town

If I hadn’t seen the light in that old lady’s
eyes
I’d try to be a man that you would hate and
despise
I’d rave and I’d rant and I’d scream and yell
And I’d chase all my neighbours from here to
hell

If I hadn’t heard those kids laugh playing games
I’d have nervous fits and I’d go insane
I’d turpentine cats and tin can dogs
And I’d smother people to death inside of holler
logs

If the people around me wasn’t so nice
I’d freeze my heart into a cake of ice
I’d steal money from soldiers and working folks
too
I’d lend you a dollar and take back two

If my wife didn’t kiss me the way she does
I’d carry four or five daggers and three or four
guns
I’d shoot craps and ramble and hang out late
And I’d steal baby buggies and cadillac eights

If my friends didn’t write me those letters I
get
I’d get to be a dictator and be the worse one
yet
I’d be the only smart bird and you’d all be
fools
All I’d send you all away to war and I’d set home
and rule

If it wasn’t for them songs I hear all of you
sing
I’d put a crown on my dome and I’d say I’m your
king
I’d kidnap some and blackmail others
I’d peddle black market stuff and rob sisters and
brothers

If it wasn’t for your talking I hear along the
street
I’d be the oneriest man that you ever did meet
I’d preach the gospel of hate and I’d drink your
blood
But I can’t be this bad because my folks are too
good

Words: woody guthrie (1945) - music: billy bragg
(1997)