Skid Row Joe last night that's who I found in the dirty part of town

Lost forgotten with no place to go

Tormented with a bitter taste outcast by the human race

A mask of torture was the face of Skid Row Joe

He walked up to where I stood on the street

Said pardon me Mister now don't get me wrong I don't want your money

Though heaven knows I could use it

But you see this is my home and you see the other bar down the street

Well that's my home too

I noticed you starin' at me a while ago you recognized me didn't you

I said yeah Joe I know who you are

You was one time a real famous singing star one of my favorites

He said well I guess you heard they took my babies away from me

I said yeah Joe I read about it in the papers

Then he turned his head away and I saw the tears fall in the place

And he turned to me and he said you know Mister

This is the only place in the world that I'm not ashamed to show my face

But I'm gonna quit yes sir I'm gonna quit

And I'm gonna cut my hair and shave and get me a clean white shirt

Then I'm gonna walk up to her door

When she answers I'm gonna stand up real proud and tall

Then I'm gonna get on my knees

Then I'll say sweetheart if you'll take me back

I'll spend the rest of my life makin' up to you for what I've done

I'm so ashamed of myself and this I want you to know

Then I'm gonna take my two little babies and I'm gonna hold 'em so close to me

I ain't gonna never let 'em go

I guess I should've told him then that she'd already remarried again

But after hearin' what he'd said to me

Why there wasn't no way I could add to his misery

So I said good luck my best to you Skid Row Joe