The Busker's Song

The Nickel Song
by Melanie Safka,
one of the most under-appreciated songwriters of her day.

G-C-G-D

Well, you know that I'm not a gambler
but I'm being gambled on
They put in a nickel and I sing a little song
Dadnda dadnda dadnda da da
Dadnda dadnda da da
They put in a nickel and I sing a little song

Well I don't mind that they're lucky
But it seems like they always win
And gambling is illegal in the state of mind I'm in
and if I had a nickel
For each time that I've been put on
I would be their nickel man and I'd sing a nickel song

Chorus
They're only putting in a nickel
And they want a dollar song, oh
They're only putting in a nickel
And they want a dollar song, yeah

Well, ya know I don't know so many things
But I know what's been going on
We're only puttin' a little to get rid of a lot that's wrong
And if we had a nickel
For each time that we've been put on
We'd all be the nickel man and we'd sing a nickel song

Well, you know I'm not a gambler
but I'm being gambled on
They put in a nickel and I sing a little song
Dadnda dadnda dadnda dadnda

*****

This must be the ultimate busker's song-
it's up-beat and catchy (usually),
it provides positive social commentary,
and when you've finished
nobody dares put small change in the hat!

Seriously, folks,
next time a politician promises
to increase services while lowering taxes,
just ask him to do the math.
Dollar songs cost a buck in the real world!
And the next time you find yourself thinking
that someone should DO something...

******
Finally (yeah, this is long),
go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeHtuwsUeRw
and listen to Melanie sing one of the best songs of the '60s.
She's an angel.
And she's still singing for peace
and freedom and human rights today.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• melanie
• safka
• nickel
• song
• politics
• equity
• reciprocity
• peace
• love
• shas
• cho
• ukulele
• '60s
• '70s
• playing
• for
• change
• busking
• hat
• costume
• silly
• children
• kids

[TarPaprShack]

You can only get away with a hat like that with a beard like that.

Like the song too.

[suuzzee5]

This is just so wonderful!

[TheGrimReaper766]

It's all in the hat :D

[0258jtj7]

Unique. Yeah! You're one cool feller!!

[cairo69]

Groovy man!

Also love your style!

And I don't mean the hat alone, but love the beard!

Wich I could jam with you :)

Peace

[eLiMU6]

great song man.

& ｔｈａｎＱ for the sidebar info.

ｐｅＡＣＥ〠ｅＬｉ

[fuckoffycus]

I'll give you a nickel for that cool hat you've got there! Beautiful *****

[Dave839]

Shas?! The ukelele strumming pimp? LOL, it's a great hat, and a great cover.

I'm impressed as always!

[crysmay1]

HHAHAHAHAHA, Thats a Great hat!

[volrie911]

well if i might put in my two cents in on your nickel song i would bet a dime this song made that girl a buck or two. great job shas loved the song . the hat WELL you better go back to letting your wife dress you. LOL .mike