i never got to meet stephen, but i’m sure i knew him well. the first time i heard this song i cussed verily, because someone besides me had written it before i could
now when they’re rattlin’ the sabre
and they’re wearin a frown
at that high-stakes poker table
when the deal goes down
and buy an ally
that they treat ‘em like a whore
and they’re shaking out the suckers
like they ain’t makin any more
cuz it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war but it’s a poor man’s fight
well they talk in facts and figures
but just the ones you’re s’posed to know
and they’re leavin out the details
that happened long ago
and they buy a hungry mouthpiece
with a whiny little voice
he says ‘yer with us or against us’
so much for freedom of choice
cuz it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war but it’s a poor man’s fight
behind their dreams of madness
and beneath my own contempt
it’s not a thing about right or wrong
it just makes good business sense
and the only thing for certain
makes any sense at all
it costs a bucket of blood
to buy a barrel of oil
cuz it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war but it’s a poor man’s fight
well in the not so distant future
they got another excuse
to stage another battleground
between the lies and truth
so get yer job down at the pipeline
get yer food down at the company store
scared people will buy any form of bullshit
like they ain’t makin anymore
it’s just the lines they drawn
just a few get to see the big picture
the poor folks live from hand to mouth
the rich folks just keep gettin richer
cuz it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war
it’s a rich man’s war but it’s a poor man’s fight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Bruton
Show from Dec 30, 2007. Saxon Pub, Austin Texas.
Stephen Bruton (RIP), Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Bruce Hughes,
Jon Dee Graham, John Chipman. Best Bar Band in America.
