The Ballad of Blind Tom

[Verse]

"Say that boy's a wonderment"

"No! The kid's a freak"

But that kid he don't care none

His black hands resting on the keys

Hopping like a big old frog

And hissing like a train

Entertaining royalty

All points east, west and in-between

General he's a fine old man

Treat him like his own

"Boy wouldn't know from money"

Just throw old Blind Tom a bone

From the times of King Cotton

May we present to you

All you Jim Crow monkeys

From Harlan County down to Tuscaloo

Play me anything you like

I'll play it back to you

Be careful what you call me though

Some things cut clear on through

I may be an idiot

I may be a savant

I didn't choose this life for me

But it's something that I want

Cocks that old big head aside

Grunts a word or two

Keeps them guessing every night

Is he really going to make it through

Faint hearts with their fans out

Starched collars and cigars

He weren't no use for slaving

"I wouldn't want him in my yard"