(The Guitar) It’s Out of Tune

My old wooden friend,
He sings my songs
I strum his chords
And hum along…
But it’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune

I’ve carried my friend some fifty years
Singin’ rhythm and blues over smokes and beers
Now people pity me with quarters and dimes
Sometimes the people even brandish smiles

It’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune
I strum the chords
I keep the rhythm
But it’s out of tune
the guitar is out of tune

Berry and Perkins,
They were my idols
Elvis was The King,
The Beatles were Fab
Clapton and Page,
Oh how those boys could play
Hendrix and Zappa had their own, crazy ways

it’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune
I strum the chords
I keep the rhythm
But it’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune

They let me play on Tuesday nights
The place is small,
The crowd is light
The rest of the week I’m out by the curb
Strumming and humming in this sad, lonely world

It’s not like I’m begging,
Man, I can play
But my fingers and voice are showing their age
I ain’t playing for no one but me and the Lord
With memories coming back with each dull chord

It’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune
I hum the words
I keep the rhythm
But it’s out of tune
The guitar is out of tune