The manager is waiting to be paid

Along with priests and deacons of his court

A quartermaster, quite a man, a mistress of the line

Has found a last cent avenue of pain



A Mardi Gras just passed this way a while ago

Making hungry people of us all

Along the Mississippi you can hear the fiddlers play

Fandangos and boleros to the lord



Many times, many tried,

Simple stories are the best

Keep in mind, the wishful kind,

Don't wanna be like all the rest.



My uncle was a vicar in the big parade

Selling fountain pens that never write

San Sebastian gamblers never cheat nor lie

They know good fences make good neighbours



I wish I knew what time of year it was What kind of people will be there When gruesome tales of two cities ran Running all the way Father might have heard his prayers were answered Inhibitions all the way from home Consider now, consider then before the deed is done The blood of consolation runs so true Many times, many tried, Simple stories are the best Keep in mind, the wishful kind, Don't wanna be like all the rest.