Jimmy’s Song

Jimmy’s standing by the door watching the people come in
Says: “Hello,” to the folks he knows, gives the rest a friendly grin
Doesn’t have a lot to say: “He says: “A wasted word ain’t wise.”
But there’s warm in Jimmy’s easy smiles and wisdom in his eyes

Jimmy stood beside that door every Friday for twenty years
Seen a lot of come and go, seen a lot of grown men’s tears
Jimmy walked the fine line between the good and the going-down
Reaching out a hand in friendship when someone walked that side of town

And that’s the kindness of strangers
It’s the tenderness of touch
It’s the “been there” in a poor man’s words
That can help you through so much
It’s the meaning of a heartfelt hug
When you need a helping hand
It’s the kindness of strangers saying:
Someone understands

Jimmy finally told his tale one cold December night
A bare board floor became his stage beneath a single naked light
No one breathed a single word: just an old world-weary sigh
When Jimmy bared his soul that night, and changed somebody’s life

And that’s the kindness of strangers
It’s the tenderness of touch
It’s the “been there” in a poor man’s words
That can help you through so much
It’s the meaning of a heartfelt hug
When you need a helping hand
It’s the kindness of strangers saying:
Someone understands

Jimmy’s not beside that door when they meet there on Fridays now
And no one dares to take his place; it wouldn’t seem quite right, somehow
Some know Jimmy’s watching from a better place, they say
But Jimmy walks the fine line: he’s with me every day

And that’s the kindness of strangers
It’s the tenderness of touch
It’s the “been there” in a poor man’s words
That can help you through so much
It’s the meaning of a heartfelt hug
When you need a helping hand
It’s the kindness of strangers saying:
Someone understands

Jimmy stood beside that door every Friday for twenty years