The Invisible Man

Joined the army out of high school, where I learned to survive
Came home and got a job in the shop, building Buicks on the line
When they laid me off the last time, the unemployment ran dry
And when I couldn't pay the bills, I had to learn to live outside

Never used to be a drinker, but now it's how I live
Started just so I could stay warm, and it helped me to fit in
I'm a veteran now of my community too
And the city streets are my home
I may be an alcoholic, but I never have to drink alone

Well here I am, though you can't see me, the invisible man
I'm just glad that you can hear me, so you know where I stand
I'm not lookin' for a handout, I just wanna be heard
I'm just down on my luck, and all I've got are these words

Sometimes I know you see me, but then you look away, or through
And I don't always want to be noticed
I'm not proud of what I have to do
But I know you just don't wanna deal
So you pretend that I'm not there
It's as if I don't exist, like a ghost who floats through the air

You might see me at the shelter, I'm not too proud to ask for help
You might see me at the bus station, yeah sometimes I talk to myself
But I make my world a better place, every day I find a way to help
On the street we've got each other's backs
It's never every man for himself

Well here I am, though you can't see me, the invisible man
I'm just glad that you can hear me, so you know where I stand
I'm not lookin' for a handout, I just wanna be heard
I'm just down on my luck, and all I've got are these words

You find some bottles to return, and anything that'll burn
When you're cold and you're hungry, you live and you learn
When you're all out of cash, you go through the trash
You find yourself some scraps, and find a way to make 'em last

The bootstrap preachers say to pull yourself up
The mission workers say that you're not sober enough
When there's no money, no work, and nowhere to go
You take your tarp and your bag and find a place to lay low

Well here I am, though you can't see me, the invisible man
I'm just glad that you can hear me, so you know where I stand
I'm not lookin' for a handout, I just wanna be heard
I'm just down on my luck, and all I've got are these words

So now you've heard my story, and I hope you understand
I'm doin' the best I can, the invisible man