“This is a song called "On The Nickel”, bit of a holiday feeling to it. It’s downtown Los Angeles on 5th street and all the hobos affectionately refer to it as “The Nickel”, so this is dedicated to all the little boys who’ve run away from home."
-Tom Waits, Live on David Letterman (1983)
[Verse 1]
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But I always will be true
And when your mama's dead and gone
I'll sing this lullaby just for you
[Chorus 1]
And what becomes of all the little boys
Who never comb their hair?
They're lined up all around the block
On the nickel over there
[Verse 2]
So better bring a bucket
There's a hole in the pail
And if you don't get my letter
Then you'll know that I'm in jail
[Chorus 2]
And what becomes of all the little boys
Who never say their prayers?
They're sleepin' like a baby
On the nickel over there
[Verse 3]
If you chew tobacco
And wish upon a star
You'll find out where the scarecrows sit
Just like punchlines between the cars
[Chorus 3]
I know a place where a royal flush
Never beat a pair
Even Thomas Jefferson
Is on the nickel over there
[Verse 4]
So ring around the rosie
Sleepin' in the rain
You're always late for supper
Man, you let me down, let me down again
[Chorus 4]
I thought I heard a mockingbird
Roosevelt knows where
You can skip the light with Grady Tuck
On the nickel over there
[Chorus 5]
So what becomes of all the little boys
Who run away from home?
The world just keeps gettin' bigger
Once you get out on your own
[Chorus 6]
So here's to all the little boys
The sandman takes you where
You're sleepin' with a pillow, man
On the nickel over there
[Chorus 7]
So climb up through that buttonhole
And fall right up the stairs
I'll show you where the short dogs grow
On the nickel over there
On the Nickel was written by Tom Waits.
On the Nickel was produced by Bones Howe.
Tom Waits released On the Nickel on Tue Sep 09 1980.