Old Beale Street is coming down
Sweeties' Snack Bar, boarded up now
And Egles The Tailor and the Shine Boy's gone
Faded out with ragtime blues
Handy's cast in bronze
And he's standing in a little park
With a trumpet in his hand
Like he's listening back to the good old bands
And the click of high heeled shoes
Old Furry sings the blues
Propped up in his bed
With his dentures and his leg removed
And Ginny's there
For her kindness and Furry's beer
She's the old man's angel overseer
Pawn shops glitter like gold tooth caps
In the grey decay
They chew the last few dollars off
Old Beale Street's carcass
Carrion and mercy
Blue and silver sparkling drums
Cheap guitars, eye shades and guns
Aimed at the hot blood of being no one
Down and out in Memphis Tennessee
Old Furry sings the blues
You bring him smoke and drink and he'll play for you
lt's mostly muttering now and sideshow spiel
But there was one song he played
I could really feel
There's a double bill murder at the New Daisy
The old girl's silent across the street
She's silent - waiting for the wrecker's beat
Silent - staring ar her stolen name
Diamond boys and satin dolls
Bourbon laughter- ghosts - history falls
To parking lots and shopping malls
As they tear down old Beale Street
Old Furry sings the blues
He points a bony finger at you and
"I don't like you"
Everybody laughs as if it's the old man's standard joke
But it's true
We're only welcome for our drink and smoke
W.C. Handy I'm rich and I'm fay
And I'm not familiar with what you played
But I get such strong impressions of your hey day
Looking up and down old Beale Street
Ghosts of the darktown society
Come right out of the bricks at me
Like it's a Saturday night
They're in their finery
Dancing it up and making deals
Furry sings the blues
Why should I expect that old guy to give it to mefrom The Nightshift Watchman
..............................................
I used to walk down every road
Holding out a golden key
And I would search the heart of everyone
I was hoping was right for me
And I was searching for a treasure
To fill me deep inside
I was searching for a life-time friend
To walk right by my side
(You know how that goes)
One day I grew so weary
I could not take another step
I sat upon the roadside
And hung my head and wept
And then suddenly I heard a voice
Come from deep within
And as I listened to the sound I found
I was lifted by the wind
It said you've always had a treasure
Living deep inside your soul
And you've always had a life-time friend
And now it's time you know
That the love was only waiting
For your signal to begin
But the golden key you were holding out
You were always holding in
(I used to walk down every single road
I used to walk, I used to walk
I used to hold, I used to hold.....)
..............................................
©1987 Midnight Ocean Bonfire Music/Nine-Ten Music,
a division of Soroka Music Ltd. (BMI) and Gail Vail
All Rights Reserved/International Copyright Secured