Lyrics On The Nickel - Tom Waits

On The Nickel

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but I always will be true
And when your mama’s dead and gone, I’ll sing this lullaby just for you
And what becomes of all the little boys who never comb their hair?
They’re lined up all around the block on the nickel over there
So better bring a bucket, there’s a hole in the pail
And if you don’t get my letter then you’ll know that I’m in jail
And what becomes of all the little boys who never say their prayers?
They’re sleepin like a baby on the nickel over there
And if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star
You’ll find out where the scarecrows sit just like punch lines between the cars
And I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair
And even Thomas Jefferson is on the nickel over there
So ring around the rosie, sleepin in the rain
And you’re always late for supper, man you let me down, let me down again
And I thought I heard a mockingbird, Roosevelt knows where
You can skip the light with Grady Tuck on the nickel over there
So what becomes of all the little boys who run away from home?
The world just keeps gettin bigger once you get out on your own
So here’s to all the little boys, the sandman takes you where
You’re sleepin with a pillow man on the nickel over there
So climb up through that button hole and fall right up the stairs
And I’ll show you where the short dogs grow on the nickel
Over there