Never Punch The Clock Again

from Paco & The Melodic Polaroids by Tim Easton

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lyrics

I’ll Never Punch The Clock Again

I lit out from Defiance. I was pushing twenty-two.
Made it nearly to Chicago ‘fore my boots had worn through.
Took a day job on the Gary docks unloading the freight.
and slept in the boarding house on Washington and 8th.
New Years day I woke up to find that I’d been robbed
by the thugs of the bossman who had given me the job.
I spat on the front door and pissed on the gate.
And swore that I’d never punch the clock again.

I’ll never punch the clock again.
I’ll ride these rails, roads, and rivers, and make a name.
Hold my head high through the wind and rain.
I’ll never punch the clock again.

I headed south for Memphis where the weather had cleared
and took up with a Daisy who made her bitter beer.
I loved her for a fortnight until it was said
I’d have to pay back rent or get out of her bed.
Took a flatboat to Natchez one early Springtime day.
And when the Captain discovered me stowing away,
he offered two choices: to work or to shore.
There might have been a third but I was already overboard.
I’ll never punch the clock again…

Under The Hill I met sweet Jean Louise
who traded me comforts if I’d mind for the police.
We had quite a season fleecing Kaintucks and the like
til’ she lost her head on Silver Street for three bucks and a spike.
I set out for New Orleans with the law not far behind
and took to the backwoods just biding my time.
I held up my own with a knife I had found
sticking out of some poor bastard’s back on the ground.

He’ll never punch the clock again…

There were drunks in the Quarter joining in song
and girls in the bars who would pull you along.
They needed protection and I had a blade
until the Fat Tuesday round-up when they locked us all in jail.
For 95 days I slaved out in the Parish Fields
swinging my hammer and guarding my meals.
Til one midsummer’s eve the line boss stopped to wipe his sweat
and we tied him up and ran by night all the way to Lafayette.

We’ll never punch the clock again…

credits

from Paco & The Melodic Polaroids, track released April 13, 2018
Tim Easton, vocal, guitar

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about

Tim Easton Nashville, Tennessee

Songwriter. Traveler.
Campfire propagandist.
Contact page TimEaston.com
for bookings.
Thanks,
TE

timeaston.com

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