Concrete Man Blues

He was a certified union man
Layer of concrete he worked with his hands
Past the kids at the screen door and the dog on the porch
He did the floppy boot workin' man's march

He was at peace with the ways of the world
Had no religion, no mystical urge
Just plainspoken wisdom and respect for the truth
With the occasional taste for a glass of vermouth

Somebody stole his ol' pickup truck
He done got stood up by Lady Luck
The profits, the bosses, the winter with its ice
You'll get no mercy so expect to sacrifice

But I still remember
How streetlights sparkled in the snow
That don't happen no more for me
And that's got to be the saddest thing I know

There's got to be a brighter star
Up above for my babies who I love
My sweet angels have dirty faces
They're like jewels in secret hiding places

Well, the kids have got their birthdays soon
And the dog is howlin' at the moon
Aw, get him to shut up, hit him with a shoe
Take another shot, what's a good man to do?

And this one could only take so much
When icy winter had us in its clutch
Christmas is here and we ain't got a tree
Great God Almighty, better get one for free

I threw my leg over a windowsill
I tell ya thievin' was a bitter pill
Now the cops are out front, I'm ashamed, I done wrong
Life's gotta be more than some shitty country song