The Outlaw Working Stiff (for Emerson)

I sat down next to him
In the crowd in the bullpen
Another white boy who had something to prove

Time passed, in a month or two
We'd talk 'til we turned blue
About raising hell and making a move

Shaved head didn't need no hair
Bike club colors on the back of his chair
Half outlaw and half working stiff

Every night when he'd punch out
The terror of Raleigh on 55 south
Going 120 on his way to the wife and kids

Emerson knew how to live
Emerson never had a shit to give
He's the man
He's the myth
Seven foot tall, drank like a fish
Old Emerson
The outlaw working stiff

In the door at half past six
Black coffee and Newport sticks
Kept the man awake for his time and a half

He said I'm saving for this new bike
Alimony for my ex-wife
And I'll head to Daytona, my club dues paid in advance

Emerson knew how to live
Emerson never had a shit to give
He's the man
He's the myth
And the girls can't seem to resist
Old Emerson
The outlaw working stiff

Email came across my desk
Said he'd wrecked on 440 west
I never thought that I'd never see him again

Been a while since I got out
Traded the office for 55 south
Going 120 on my way to learn how to live

Emerson knew how to live
Emerson never had a shit to give
He was the man
Now he's the myth
And they act like he didn't exist
Old Emerson
The outlaw working stiff

He was the man
Now he's the myth
Don't you act like he didn't exist
Old Emerson
The outlaw working stiff