Dutchman

A bunch a guys was in this barroom

Most of 'em had been there half the day

They'd been telling jokes and fairy tales

Lying just to pass the time away

Then suddenly

Someone cracked the bar room door

And then pushed it open wide

And this huge, tall, dark dude

Bowed his head and stepped inside

I wonder where he's from, some blonde asked

The wind must have blown him in

But an old Dutchman offered him a drink

What will it be, whiskey, rum or gin?

Sick him, Fido, a redhead shouted

Show him his way back to the street

But the great Dane just walked over and licked his hand

And laid down at his feet

He said, if you'll spare me that drink, Dutchman

I promise I'll tell you how

That I came to be the helpless sight that stands before you now

I used to be an artist, no one who sits and fiddles out on the curb

But in my day and time, my music was considered superb

I wrote a song about a poor kid

Raised down in New Orleans

It didn't make the Hall of Fame

But it bought us shrimp, rice and beans

He kept at it until he made the big time

Playing town after town

Until he met a woman he fell in love with

And it really turned his life around

She had eyes like Cleopatra

And a head of luxurious hair

With the brilliance of her beauty

None other could compare

When she lifted her eyes to his

Her lips would fall apart

Each time she allowed him kiss her

It near petrified his heart

But when he ask her, would she marry him?

He'd give her everything he had

She turned and walked away

And it nearly drove him mad

He promised her a half a million

And would even pay in advance

If she would let him prove himself

Or at least give him a chance

And if he should go blind

He had to use his hands to feel

He would hire someone to do her work

And prepare her every meal

How could a man love a woman so much?

Not one of you would think

Well I did and I still do

Hey, Dutchman, you promised me a drink