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Homeless Tab

by Jj Cale


Homeless JJ Cale 

                                                
She said she had no money But he was in doubt 
                 
He told her, "I used to be in too" 
       
But now he was out 
                                         
"Spare some small change lady 
                              
And I'll be on my way" 

                                              
She looked into his eyes And deep in his soul 

I know she was wondering 
    
If he was in control 
                                                 
She muttered to herself, "Those beggars, 
                                   
Where do they all come from?" 

                                           
He said, "I'm not a homeless man 
                       
I'm a gypsy by trade 
               
And I'm travelling this land 
                                              
I'm not a homeless man" 

                                                             
He moved through the streets  With his headband low 
            
Never thinking he would never see 
          
That woman again, you know 

Just sleeping in the doorways 
                                        
And alleys like he always had 
                                  
The years rolled by And later on 
                                            
He spotted an old woman All tattered and worn 



   
Hard times had got her 
                                              
Her clothes were ragged and old 
                                                 
She said, "I'm not a homeless woman 
                                            
I'm a gypsy by trade  And I'm travelling this land
                                              
I'm not a homeless woman" 

                                          
Sometime in the daytime Sometimes at night 
                                                           
You will see a couple walking They'll come into sight 
                            
Pushing their carts 
                     
And holding hands 

                                       
If you ask to help They'll just run away 
                          
Like little children, out to play 
                                           
And if you ask, "Who are you" 
                         
They'll always say 

                                    
"I'm not a homeless man 
                                
I'm a gypsy by trade 
               
And I'm travelling this land 

         
She's not a homeless woman 
 
               
I'm not a homeless man"