Hundred Dollar Bill by Don Taco

Hundred Dollar Bill

he played in cafes and street corners

like the folkies of decades ago

nobody listened, nobody cared

but then, no one told him to go

he had an eye for the ladies, a mind made up

weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet

had a three dollar bill taped to his guitar

and a heart     a heart with no regret

and sometimes, some nights

as he'd pack his guitar

some old man would be standing there

saying thank you for playing

phil ochs and john prine

at least let me buy you a beer

thank you for woody

and thank you for hank

and that one about the mermaid's tears

thank you for taking me back to my youth

I haven't heard that one in years

he haunted garage sales and flea marts

and picked through the records they sold

expanding his obscure collection

of funny songs no one else knows

he had a bright red moped, a black moustache

so thin he could hide in the winds

had a three dollar bill taped to his guitar

and a song     a song that never ends

and sometimes, some nights

when the songs are all over

some young thing would stand by his side

can I buy you a beer

can I tell you my story

can I stay and help sweeten your night

thank you for taking

my mind off myself

I've carried that burden so long

thanks for that place where the music is magic

that's where the heart learns its song

at xmas and easter and new years

he'd grab his guitar with a grin

the rest of the family would gather

and laugh at the old songs again

he had a head for numbers

an eye for truth

he could dance on the head of a pin

had a three dollar bill taped to his guitar

and a laugh     a laugh that gathered you in

                                                           copyright 2017 by Don Taco

and sometimes, some nights

when the cold winds are singing

I'd swear I still hear that guitar

that bright sideways grin and

those twelve strings all ringing

and I still long to be where you are

to raise up our voices

like angels, or brothers

one last chance before you depart

to hear once again the applause and the laughter

and sing you a song from my heart

he played in cafes and street corners

I sang the low parts and played bass

and the people who bothered to listen

always left with a smile on their face

he had a song for all seasons, a joke to tell

an old twelve string barely in tune

had a three dollar bill taped to his guitar

and a light     a light as bright as the moon

and these are the moments

that you don't forget

these are the moments

that follow you your whole life long

these are the moments

that linger here yet

these are the moments

that carry you on

these are the moments

that write the heart's song

a heart     a heart with no regret

goodbye, bill