The bum said boy, ya better watch what ya say
Else someday you’ll end up just like me
Watchin’ the trains rollin’ down the tracks
Watchin’ the ships out to sea

I used to be so young and cool
Captain of the team, ruler of the school
Then one day it all faded away
Boy, ya better watch what ya say

The bum said boy, I fought in Vietnam
One less leg from a grenade bomb
Some presidential bet, ya see what I get
Depression and a sad blues song

Boy, I used to drive a greyhound
Seattle to Newark, Cleveland to New York
From the east to the west to the north of the bay
Boy, ya better watch what ya say

I used to love a girl, shattered her world
Your mama’s no longer the same
When your birthday came, I hopped on a plane
There’s nobody else to blame

Boy, ya better watch what ya say
Boy, ya better watch what ya do
Boy, ya better watch what ya leave behind
After this world is through with you

Boy, ya better watch what ya say
Boy, ya better watch what ya say
Boy, ya better watch what ya say
Else someday you’ll end up just like me.