GOOD TIME CHARLIE
As recorded by Spider John Koerner on "What's Left of Spider John" (2013)

SPOKEN INTRO: This is called "Good-Time Charlie." This is one of the first songs I made up in my life. And the first two verses were taken—stolen, shall we say—from another folk song, might've been "Railroad Bill." But anyway, the rest of it I made up myself, and it was a long time ago.

1. I'm-a get me a gun as long as my arm,
Shoot ever' man ever done me harm.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

2. I got a thirty-eight special on a forty-five frame.
How 'n the world can I miss if I got dead aim?
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

3. I spend my money and I lost my honey.
If I can't be happy, I'm gonna get funny.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

4. I'm goin' downtown to get a bottle of booze.
Hey, I don't care what I do.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

5. Hey, darlin', look at me now.
Ain't a thing in the world's gonna get me down.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

6. Don't you try to dance like Snaky Dave Ray.
The last woman tried got thirty days.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

7. I'm smokin' and drinkin' late at night.
I wish I knew wrong from right.
Good-Time Charlie's back in town again.

8. Hey, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday again.
Whoa, man, it's good-time Charlie!


Koerner also sings this song on "Legends of Folk"—a concert album he made with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and U. Utah Phillips in 1995. Lyrics in that recording are nearly identical to those above.

Yeah, I know Dave Ray was called "Snaker" but in this song, Koerner sings "Snaky" in both recordings.