I'm a dying pooch, you ought to put me down

I turned a sickly shade of grey while other guys got brown

Some people said I was good, other people said I was great

I met the governor of California, I called him mate

And he kicked me straight in the guts man

He's got me dragging my feet man

I had the clowns, I had the horses, had the pigeons too

I had the whole damn circus promise my debut

Then I called for the doctor said oh how my head aches

He said the birds just go crazy for that dead beat taste

I got the black bird baby picking in my brains

I sold my soul to the devil, but the devil don't pay

I got the fever foxy mama used to make me feel good

But that same fever baby don't make me feel like it should

Now there's a woman before me, I guess my luck has changed

I try to give her what she wants, but my will has been broken

Had it all planned out, I drew the map in the sand

Then the hurricane hit, now I'm in hostile land

Things are going pretty bad, I guess they can only get worse

I got sent to Jesus freaks and all I need is a nurse

I got the black bird baby picking at my brains

Just tie my bones to the saddle, let go of the reins

Well you may find yourself walking down a cobblestone street

You see me tied to the column where the wise men speak

I hear they're giving out stones, I'll let your aim be true

And don't pity me because I wouldn't pity you

I got the black bird baby picking in my brains