Slack String Quartet

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Robert Hunter

From Robert Hunter's performing repertoire, but no recordings issued.

Tune those strings down as low as you can get
Add harp, bass, you got a slack string quartet
Barroom joy, relax and lose your face
It's such a dump, you can't trash the place

Slack String Quartet
What d'you think you get?
Sheer confusion!
Sheer confusion! (note 1)

I had a cat I never could tame called
Collie in the Cauliflower Catalina Catalain
Roll Away the Butter Mama, Pepper on the Daisy Chain
Hairy Mary Salivary Singin' in the Rain - Wacko!

Slack String Quartet
What d'you think you get?
Sheer confusion!
Sheer confusion!

I reached in my pocket and shook hands with a thief
I said: Robbing me won't buy you much relief
Why don't you lend me twenty for a drink instead?
Set you down, let me tell you 'bout this life I led

You say your name is trouble, that's my name too
I must be seeing double or I look a lot like you
You say you're born to ramble, I was born to roam
An old boll weevil just seekin' his home-sweet-home

Slack String Quartet
What d'you think you get?
Sheer confusion!
Sheer confusion!

Hush, you screaming brat and I'll try to sing
Buy the Chase Manahatten for you and a bird with wings
If the bank goes broke, honey, and the bird gets smashed
Never mind, Daddy's still got him a backstage pass

Slack String Quartet
What d'you think you get?
Sheer confusion!
Sheer confusion!

I had a dog I called for luck:
Isaiah Deuteronomy Ecclesiastes Habakkuk
Zephaniah Jeremiah Nehemiah Malachi
Samuel Zecharish Obadiah Do or Die

Slack String Quartet
What d'you think you get?
Sheer confusion, vain delusion
Cuts and contusion -
Resolution, execution
Anything but some solution
Split it down the middle
Maybe even give a little
Collect, reject, suspect
Oh, Hell, what the heck
If it lands on its feet
without losing a beat
treat it to some respect
Slack String Quartet!
Notes
(1) in a 1981 live performance, Robert Hunter sang "Sheer confusion, that's what Gridley said"

 


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