The Desperation Waltz

You were a wanderer in North Idaho
Boots on the gravel for miles
You'd hustle them boys in the old country dives
You'd sleep with your knife by your side
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down

You were a heavyweight, down in the ring
Enough left in you still for a round
But you promised a man with a silver tipped pen
You would end with your face to the ground
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down

You were a waitress in Oklahoma
Them boys from the prairie were kind
But they slipped you a note with an offer at hand
And a ten dollar bill on the side
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down

You were a schoolboy, no older than ten
Well Johnny'd been after your hide
You found an old rifle way back in the shed
No daddy to pay it no mind
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down

You were a barber, you cut a clean shave
But you were short when the landlord came by
You sat in the summer heat, eyeing your blades
And the cop always pacing in time
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down
You've done a lot more for a lot less before
And this circus has wore you on down