Wharf Rat Lyrics

Old man down, way down, down
Down by the docks of the city
Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime
A dime for a cup of coffee

I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story
My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best
More than my wine, more than my wine
More than my maker, though he's no friend of mine

Everyone said I'd come to no good, I knew I would pearly, believe them
Half of my life, I spent doin' time for some other f**ker's crime
The other half found me stumbling 'round drunk on Burgundy wine
But I'll get back on my feet someday

The good old Lord willin', if He says I may
I know that the life I'm livin's no good
I'll get a new start, live the life I should
I'll get up and fly away, I'll get up and fly away, fly away

Pearly's been true, true to me, true to my dyin' day he said
I said to him, I said to him, "I'm sure she's been"
I said to him, "I'm sure she's been true to you"

I got up and wandered, wandered downtown
Nowhere to go but just hang around
I've got a girl, named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl's been true to me
I know she's been, I'm sure she's been true to me

Grateful Dead - Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses)

Oct 1990

1. Bertha
2. Mama Tried
3. Big Railroad Blues
4. The Other One
5. Big Boss Man
6. Me & Bobby McGee
7. Johnny B. Goode
8. Wharf Rat
9. Not Fade Away/Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad