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Ballad of Forty Dollars Lyrics

Artist: Tom T. Hall
Album: Ballad Of Forty Dollars

The man who preached the funeral said it really was a simple way to die
He laid down to rest one afternoon and never opened up his eyes
They hired me and Fred and Joe to dig the grave and carry up some chairs
It took us seven hours and I guess we must have drunk a case of beer

I guess I ought to go and watch them put him down but I don't own a suit
And anyway when they start talking about the fire in Hell, well, I get spooked
So, I'll just sit here in my truck and act like I don't know him when they pass
Anyway, when they're all through I've got to go to work and mow the grass

Well, here they come and who's that ridin' in that big ol' shiny limousine
Look at all that chrome, I do believe that that's the sharpest thing I've seen
That must belong to his great uncle, someone said he owned a big ol' farm
When they get parked I'll mosey down and look it over, that won't do no harm

Well that must be the widow in the car and would you take a look at that
That sure is a pretty dress, you know some women do look good in black
Well, he's not even in the ground and they say that his truck is up for sale
They say she took it pretty hard, but you can't tell too much behind the veil

Well, listen ain't that pretty when the bugler plays the military taps
I think that when you's in the war they always had to play a song like that
Well here I am and there they go and I guess you'd just call it my bad luck
I hope he rests in peace, the trouble is the fellow owes me forty bucks

Comments/Interpretations

by donnie Jones Canada On. on 7/12/2009 9:31pm
Tom T Hall was a family favorite in our home, He was right up there with the greats Buck, Hank Sr.Merle,Walon and Willie, Charlie Pride,All the biggies from that era . Thanks Tom T Hall. You,ll always be remembered for you professionalism.