The Man in the Street

Jim Savarino © 1997

I wasn't dreamin', I wasn't asleep
Last night I met a great man in the street
In ragged clothes he looked like a bum
But the scars on his hands marked the chosen one

He said "I've fallen on desperate times.
I've taken to begging for nickels and dimes.
People are people, they'll do what they will,
But I won't let them nail me to a cross on a hill"

"You see, I've been there before, and once is enough.
Folks think I'm meek though I'm really quite tough.
But I'm world weary, I've carried my shares - 
I'll carry no more until somebody cares."

Chorus

And the fires of greed are burnin' so bright
The fires of passion light up the night
But fire consumes all it will meet
Till we're standin' in ashes out cold in the street

"You seem to be a sensible man.
Not many see me and know who I am.
Now you've a task of the highest degree - 
Go tell the world you've been speaking with Me."

"People will call you a misguided fool.
People will say you're Lucifer's tool.
Knowledge will burden you, maybe you'll crack.
Maybe you'll break from the weight on your back."

"Perhaps you'll find yourself out in the street,
In ragged clothes with nothing to eat.
People will stare as they pass and you cry
"God is alive but He's not in the sky"."

Oh I wish I was dreamin' or maybe asleep
Last night when I met a great man on the street.