Asa Jones’ Blues (2019)

Well, Asas' in the alley, pickin' pennies up off the ground
Boys behind the liquor store throw their money all around
He's on his hands and knees in the garbage and the snow
Pickin' up the pennies, buy him a 40 in the store

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Frank's behind the counter selling cigarettes and beer
Yelling out to Asa, get your fat ass outta here
You wanna get a drink, leave my customers alone
You wanna get drunk, you gotta get there on your own

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Eddie's in his room with his head against the glass
Looks like the only survivor of a horrible plane crash
He weighs ninety pounds, wet or dry, he never shaved his face
Sixty bucks a month for that room, he never leaves the place

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Earl lives underneath the porch of that ramshackle house
Like a billygoat gruff he'll come up to curse and shout
He wears a woman's coat that he got out of the trash
Pockets full of rags and socks stuffed with contraband

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Well, Earl's back in that alley lookin' for pennies in the snow
Panhandlin' the patrons til' Frank comes out the door
Bat in his hand and he lays it on Earl's head
He cursin' him out and beats him till he's dead

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Frank throws the body in the dumpster of a drugstore two doors down
He wipes the bat off with his shirt, sees nobody hangin' around
Back at the store, tells Asa to take a 40 on the house
Gives him the shirt off of his back and says, "Son get out"

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues

Police caught up with Asa about seven blocks away
Earl's blood on his shirt and he couldn't think of a thing to say
He took the bottle in his hand and he broke it on the ground
Waved it in the air and they laid big Asa down

Lay 'em down, lay 'em down down down, lay 'em down
You got Asa Jones' blues