The Blues Is a Game

Does it make you feel good as you get on the stage?
Say you're singing the blues, so you'd better behave
But it isn't your truth, you've no right to the name
It's all whiskey and cigarettes in your eyes
Honey, I've been marching most all of my life
And you sit and make jokes about men in white cloaks
Then whip up a twelve bar refrain

When you woke up this morning
What went through your mind?
When you woke up this morning
Did you fear for your life?
Just candidly explain my existence away
'Cause the blues is a game

So, you pack up your notebook
And you tune your guitar
And you never once worried
If you'd make it this far
But you're ready to play
So you shout your cliches
'Cause the blues is a game

You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad, sad man

You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues, you're just a sad, sad man
You ain't got the blues
Ain't got the blues
Ain't got the blues
But you're ready to play, so you spout your cliches
'Cause the blues is a game

I'm a good, good woman
With a good, good heart
I'm a good, good woman
But you make it so hard
'Cause I've got something to say
And it burns like a flame
But the blues is a game

When you woke up this morning
With the world on your side
Tell me, did you read the news boy
Before you sat down to write
Digging deep for that pain
But it don't hit the same
'Cause the blues is a game