Playin' For Peanuts

Performing for loose change tossed into my guitar case

I came here to Nashville trying to find my star’s place

A country singer is what I wanted to be from the early day

But I never dreamed that this street would be where I play

In this town, it seems that everybody can pick an old guitar

Talent is a good thing to have but it won’t get you very far

In the end it takes determination and a whole lot of luck

To be at the right place and time when the deal is struck

I’m livin’on nickels and sardines just waiting for a chance

What did Garth Brooks say in the song he called “The Dance”?

My daddy said a great musician could make a million you see

But he also said that if he didn’t, well, he'd still play for free

Sometimes I think I have a big future as nothing but a homeless man

I told ‘em all back home I’d make it; I can’t face ‘em until I can

The right man will one day see me playin’ in an alley way out back

And offer me my big break with a big lucrative recording contract

I dream of writing great songs and pouring my emotion on the page

I imagine myself all dressed in finery; singing upon that Opry Stage

A man’s got to dream and keep on dreaming when life’s this hard

I just take one day at a time and pray that soon they’ll punch my card

I can yodel the blues like Hank Williams; sing up high like Vince Gill

I can do a little Johnny Cash and maybe a little swing like Bob Wills

There’s little bit of everybody in me and plenty enough to go around

I just wish I could earn my chance and get a break in this star town

I’ll bet ol’ Willie’ would let me sing with him if he just saw me here

Bet Ol’ David Alan Coe would stop on the sidewalk to lend an ear

But neither of them are around as I sing and play from place to place

Guess I should just be thankful for coins pitched into my guitar case

Talent’s here from everywhere; every race, color, and hue

They come to town to make their noise down on 16^th Avenue

Livin’ on the nickels n’ sardines; chasin’ the dream I chase

Each one playing for peanuts with a smile upon their face

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