Roll It Old Piano

Lyrics: [Verse 1] I got a patched-up coat and a nickel in my hand Walked from the cotton road to this crooked little stand You poured me coffee black, said, “Friend, sit down awhile” I heard that old piano and forgot the miles [Chorus] Roll it, old piano, make the floorboards complain Scrape that washboard steady through the dust and rain Low bass under my footsteps, keeping time with the door If tomorrow takes my dollar, I’ll come back for one song more [Verse 2] My woman keeps a garden by the bend in Miller Creek She tied a red thread round my wrist last Tuesday week Said, “Bring home something better than the trouble that you know” I said, “I’ll bring a Sunday dress and a pocket full of gold” [Chorus] Roll it, old piano, make the floorboards complain Scrape that washboard steady through the dust and rain Low bass under my footsteps, keeping time with the door If tomorrow takes my dollar, I’ll come back for one song more [Bridge] The bottle’s nearly empty, but the room is standing tall A laughing man by the stove just caught me when I’d fall Let the river keep its secrets, let the freight train shake the wall I’ve still got two good hands and a reason not to crawl [Verse 3] When the lamps burn low and the bartender sweeps the floor I’ll count the cracked white keys and leave my worries at the door That bass will hum behind me, that scrape will fade away But the little tune I carried in will meet me home by day [Outro] Roll it, old piano, one more ragged refrain Scrape that washboard steady through the dust and rain Low bass under my footsteps, softening the road I’m going home with empty hands, but lighter than I rode