4/3/2006 1:22 PM

Can You Spare Some Change
(Panhandling)
capo 2nd fret - G fingering, key of A

Doug and I got on the road
November '73
Two teenage hitch-hikers
Thinkin' traveling made you free.
Doug's pocket held 200 bucks
Mine had almost 5.
We had to learn to beg for change
Had to make up reasons why.

"Excuse me, can you spare some change
So we can buy some food?"
"Our car is broken down" or:
"Our jet plane needs some fuel."
"Our girlfriends' both are pregnant
Lafe here needs some shoes.
And I need a shirt and tie
So I can go on interviews."

"I'm a veteran - I need some change
So I can cut my hair.
They taught me how to fight
But no job skills over there.
I'm going to school on the G.I. Bill
But for books they will not pay.
You look like a Patriot, SIR
Can you spare some change?"

We aren't asking you for money
Just some worthless pocket change.
Don't look at us like beggars
In every life there falls some rain.
We're doing what Jack Kerouac
And Guthrie did of old.
If you can spare some change
We'll just get on down the road.

My dog got in a fight last night
The Vet says he might die
I'm only short a couple bucks
You could save his life.
He's been my friend for 10 sweet years
Ever since my daddy died
Trying to save our minister
When his car broke through the ice.

Excuse me Ma'am, could you tell us how
To find Mercy Hospital?
Lafe's brother left a message that
His Mom is deathly ill!
We got no money
Got no car
But that's okay we'll walk.
Unless perhaps you can spare some change
So they can have them one more talk.

We aren't asking you for money
Just some worthless pocket change.
Don't look at us like beggars
We're just trying to make our way from
The Great Atlantic Ocean
To the land with an Angel's name.
Forget the hard luck story Mister
Can you spare some change?