ODE TO HALF A POUND OF GROUND ROUND

*..* Denotes spoken part

*This is the song about the time I nearly starved to death in Roanoke, Virginia.*

I woke up Wednesday morning in my little motel bed
Knowing I would die the minute that I moved my head
I felt around to make sure I was in my bed alone
I meet some friendly people when I'm stoned

My payday was on Friday, I had two whole days to go
Even in my agony I knew that I was broke
"Let me pay the check," I said and "Keep the change, my friend."
She wiggled out of sight with my last ten

At noon I realized there wasn't any way to eat
For lunch I just went out and shuffled up and down the street
At four o' clock I had a funny feeling in my chest
How long's it take to starve a man to death?

I found some pennies in my junk and bought a candy bar
Divided it in pieces and I ate one every hour
I'd just rolled into town and didn't know a single soul
There wasn't any way to make a loan

Thursday morning I was nearly panicked on the job
I heard my stomach growling and my head begin to throb
I contemplated murder of the folks who brought their lunch
The sudden smell of food would make me jump

Thursday night they ran all food commercials on TV
I slept 'til nine or ten and then I walked the floor 'til three
Friday morning I looked for some ketchup on my shirts
My mind was gone, my legs began to hurt

The last few minutes up to paying time were all the worst
The minutes were the years it took to build the universe
Finally it came I got my check and made a dash
"Yes", I said, "The man will eat at last."

Running down the sidewalk I could see the words so sweet
The sign was flashing on and off: Eat! Eat! Eat!
"A half a pound of ground round, ma'am, and please don't cook it long."
The sizzle of the grill was like a song

I've traveled this world over and I ain't been hungry much
I've been down in my thinking and I've been down on my luck
But the sweetest meal I've ever had in anybody's town
Was a half a pound of plain ground round

Ground round



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