The Ballad Of Blind Tom Songtext / Lyric

"Say that boy's a wonderment"

"No! The kid's a freak"

But that kid he don't care none

His black hands resting on the keys

Hoppin' like a big old frog

And hissin' like a train

Entertaining royalty

All points east, west and in-between






General he's a fine old man

Treat him like his own

"Boy wouldn't know from money"

Just throw old Blind Tom a bone

From the times of King Cotton

May we present to you

All you Jim Crow monkeys

From Harlan County down to Tuscaloo



Pay me anything you like

I'll pay it back to you

Be careful what you call me though

Some things cut clear on through

I may be an idiot

I may be a savant

I didn't choose this life for me

But it's something that I want



Cocks that old big head aside

Grunts a word or two

Keeps 'em guessin' every night

Is he really gonna make it through

Faint hearts with their fans out

Starched collars and cigars

He weren't no use for slavin'

"I wouldn't want him in my yard"