Ray St. Ray

I used to listen to my grandfather’s stories.
Oh, how he kept us so amused!
He told of hard times he called the Depression.
I guess his generation had a right to sing the blues.
My favorite aunt worked through the Second World War.
My playboy uncle fought there too.
They lived with rationing and life under fire.
I guess their generation paid their dues.
And the world keeps spinning ’round and ’round
till someone or something slows it down.
Who rigs the game so we all lose?
Does every generation get a legacy of blues?
Our parents worked real hard to make a better life,
sent us to all the finest schools.
We had our own cars before we learned to drive,
color TV in every room.
Dad kept the mushroom clouds away from our door,
mom taught us how to buy fast food.
However much they gave, we always asked for more.
I guess their generation had it tougher than we knew.
And the world keeps spinning ’round and ’round
till someone or something cuts it down.
Who rigs the game so we all lose?
Does every generation get a legacy of blues?
We got laid off, now I can’t find a job.
A fine diploma I can’t use.
I’m overqualified for unemployment.
Don’t give me counseling, give me food!
And my wife left me for another woman.
She took the kid, the car, the credit cards too!
It’s no fun livin’ where you used to go slummin’!
I guess my generation sings a different kind of blues.
And the world keeps spinning ’round and ’round
till someone or something grinds it down.
Who rigs the game so we all lose?
Does every generation get a legacy of blues?
By now we should be living like Buck Rogers,
takin’ paid vacations on the moon.
Instead, the choice we get is slave or tax dodger,
TV or drugs to keep us quiet and subdued.
Well, I’m not homeless, I’m just self-unemployed!
I live in the streets to remind you:
Wake up! Take action! It’s time to get annoyed
or else we’ll hand our children a legacy of blues!

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