On the Nickel

Lately, this song has been stuck with me. It’s got to be the most beautiully sad song I’ve heard in a long time — if ever.

sticks and stones will break my bones
but i always will be true
and when  your mama is dead and gone
i’ll sing this lullabye just for you
and what becomes of all the little boys
who never comb their hair
well they’re lined up all around the block
on the nickel over there
 
so you better bring a bucket
there is a hole in the pail
and if you don’t get my letter
then you’ll know that i’m in jail
and what becomes of all the little boys
who never say their prayers
well they’re sleepin’ like a baby
on the nickel over there.
 
and if you chew tobacco
and wish upon a star
well you’ll find out where the scarecrows sit
just like punchlines between the cars
and i know a place where a royal flush
can never beat a pair
and even thomas jefferson
is on the nickel over there

so ring around the rosie
you’re sleepin’ in the rain
and you’re always late for supper
and man you let me down again
i thought i heard a mockingbird
roosevelt knows where
you can skip the light with grady tuck
on the nickel over there
 
so what becomes of all the little boys
who run away from home
well the world just keeps gettin’ bigger
once you get out on your own
so here’s to all the little boys
the sandman takes you where
you’ll be sleepin’ with a pillowman
on the nickel over there
 
so let’s climb up through that button hole
and we’ll fall right up the stairs
and i’ll show you where the short dogs grow
on the nickel over there