SING FOR THE SONG
(Shel Silverstein)

Sometimes you sing for the money
Sometimes you sing for the show
Sometimes you sing for those dewy eyed darlings
Still makes them cry, don't you know

One time you sang for the glory
But the glory didn't last very long
Through the haze of the stage, you look back to the days
When you used to sing for the song

Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did when you stood on that corner and you didn't even feel the cold
Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did before all of the cocaine and flash bulbs and bright painted ladies got hold of your soul

But you really don't make too much money
And you don't put on much of a show
And those dewy eyed darlings next week will be crying
For somebody else don't you know

And the tune is becoming your burden
And the words all sound twisted and wrong
And the song that you sell don't taste quite as well
As when you used to sing for the song

Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did when you stood on that corner and you didn't even feel the cold
Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did before all of the cocaine and flash bulbs and bright painted ladies got hold of your soul

Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did when you stood on that corner and you didn't even feel the cold
Sing for the song, boy
Just like you did before all of the cocaine and flash bulbs and bright painted ladies got hold of your soul

Transcribed from "Best of Friends", a 1985 live album by Bob Gibson, Tom Paxton and Anne Hills.