For Free

I slept last night in a good hotel

I went shoppin' today for jewels

The wind rushed around your dirty town

And the children ran out from the schools

I was standin' on a noisy corner

Waitin' for the light to turn green

Across the street he stood and he played real good

He was playin' real good for free

Now me, I play for a fortune

And those velvet curtain calls

I got a black limousine and two gentlemen

Escortin' me to the halls

And I'd play well if you've got the money

Or if you're a friend to me

But the one man band by the quick lunch stand

He was playin' real good for free

Nobody stopped to hear him

Though he played real sweet and high

They knew they'd never seen him on their TV

So they passed his music by

I meant to go over and ask for a song

Maybe put on a harmony

But the signal light changed and I heard his refrain

He was playin' real good for free