Townes Van Zandt Lyrics: Billy, Boney And Ma Lyrics

Townes Van Zandt - Billy, Boney And Ma

by Townes Van Zandt

Well, Billy went down to the battleground
to find a little trinket he could call his own
didn't see nothin' lying around
he decided he'd dig awhile
well he dug her up and he dug her down
'fore too long he found some bones
poor little Billy couldn't make a sound
when the bones sat up and smiled

Oh Billy you seem like a fine young man
no reason to be a tremblin' soul
come over here and shake my hand
make my proud acquaintance
Well Billy he was stunned he could hardly stand
whether he could move he didn't know
but he knew he had to formulate some kinda plan
or try the boneman's patience

The first thing he wanted to do was breathe
so he gulped in some of that battleground air
next thing he wanted to do was leave
but Billy wasn't raised up rude
Well the boneman grunted and he gave a heave
all of a sudden he was loomin' there
shakin off dirt and actin pleased
things didn't look too good

Well Billy decided what the hell
you don't meet a boneman every day
A little bit skinny but you never can tell
he might be a pretty good guy
Well they started off with the old soft sell
'fore too long they were jawin' away
by the time the darkness fell
they were seein' socket to eye

They decided right then on a life of crime
with the boneman's looks and Billy's brains
they could scare old Scrooge out of his last dime
Might as well have a go
Billy he would picked the place and time
from the corner store to the railroad train
Boney'd flash him a smile sublime
and Billy he'd grab the dough

They decided they might as well start right then
Time's awastin' so they say
they headed for the park
where the lights are dim
and only the foolish tread
he was whistlin' a tune
when they spotted him strollin' along
so plump and gay
Boney gave him

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