Tom Waits On The Nickel Lyrics

Tom Waits (introducing 'On The Nickel', 1979):
"This is eh, a little wino's nursery rhyme. It's about a place in downtown Los Angeles they call 'The Nickel'. It's 5th Street and a gentleman named Ralph Waite... Eh Ralph Waite wrote a story entitled 'On The Nickel". This is about a couple of old partners, they were separated for many years and then re-united... on The Nickel. So, this is eh about eh, it's a little lullaby."

On The Nickel

Sticks and stones will break my bones(2), 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(3) can never beat a pair
And even Thomas Jefferson(4) is on the Nickel over there

So ring around the rosy(5), 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(6), on the Nickel over there(7)

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(8)
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(9)

So climb up through that b___on hole and fall right up the stairs
And I'll show you where the short dogs(10) grow, on the Nickel
Over there