Words and music by John Kay



Though I can't show you the years of my life

That I spend on the road to freedom

Don't let it throw you, I know of your strife

I know what it's like to roam

I sang 'em a glad song, played 'em a sad song

Sang 'em the whole night long

Just for a dollar or what they could offer

To somebody's ramblin' boy



When the fun was done, I would pack my bags and I was gone

Though the women were kind there was nothing to bind me to one

'Til somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways

Somebody changed my ole carousing days

Oh when I was a young boy I learned to survive

'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life



I lived in the barrooms the juke joints and gin mills

I worked any dive in town

Never to proud to pass my hat around

In every place I found

I'll sing you a glad song, play you a sad song

Sing 'em the whole night long

Just for a dollar or what you can offer

To somebody's ramblin' boy



There were times when lonely was the only feeling left in me

Or when the cold and the rain made it hard on a man to be free

'Till somebody changed my tough and hungry days

Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways

Now I don't really care no more 'bout nickels and a dime

The one I love is all I need to help me spend my time

Somebody came and rolled away my stone

Somebody came, and she made me feel at home

Somebody changed my rough and rowdy ways

Somebody changed my ole carousing days

Oh when I was young boy I learned to stay alive

'Til somebody came and stayed my sportin' life



I'll sing you a glad song, play you a sad song

Sing 'em the whole night long

Just for a dollar or what you can offer

To somebody's ramblin' boy



© 1973 Black Leather Music, Inc. (BMI)