You Don’t Own the Sidewalk Bubba Patrick — Porch Wisdom with Bubba & Trigger [Intro — Martin guitar pickup, swinging band] [Spoken] Trigger, move over a little. That lady’s trying to get by. Yes, she lives here too. [Verse 1] You stepped out on Crown Parkway Like the mayor on parade. Stopped beside the first stop sign, Had inspections to be made. Then you parked across the pavement, Little paws spread good and wide. Had a jogger running circles Trying to find the passing side. [Verse 2] There were noses needing greetings, There were wheels you had to watch. There were seventeen important smells Inside one little spot. Then a lady with her groceries Said, “Excuse us, coming through.” You looked up like she’d requested An appointment there with you. [Chorus] You don’t own the sidewalk, Scoot them little paws. We can let somebody pass us Without calling in the law. There’s room enough for all of us To get where we’re going to. Son, you don’t own the sidewalk— And I reckon I don’t either, do you? [Verse 3] We got home, I took the Honda To pick up a thing or two. Found a fellow with his blinker on, Said, “Well, I’m in a hurry too.” Closed the gap a little tighter, Kept him waiting in his lane. Then I caught my own reflection— There’s old Trigger’s face again. [Spoken] Well, look at that. Same attitude. Bigger vehicle. [Verse 4] So I backed off, let him over, He gave me a little wave. Cost me maybe half a second Of the time I thought I’d save. Made it to the store for coffee, Still got home before the rain. Funny how the whole day carried on When I gave a little space. [Chorus] You don’t own the sidewalk, Scoot them little paws. We can let somebody pass us Without calling in the law. There’s room enough for all of us To get where we’re going to. Son, you don’t own the sidewalk— And I reckon I don’t either, do you? [Instrumental — Harmonica solo, piano answers] [Bridge] You can have your favorite corner, I can have my usual chair. But somebody getting comfortable Ain’t a reason for a glare. We can move a little over, Take our turn and get along. Won’t lose much by making room here— Might gain somebody walking along. [Verse 5] Next time out we met a father With a little girl on wheels. She was wobbling down the sidewalk, Working hard to keep it still. So we stepped beside the pavement, Let her pedal slowly past. You sat quiet while she waved at us— I said, “Boy, you’re learning fast.” [Final Chorus] You don’t own the sidewalk, Scoot them little paws. Let that little girl ride by us— Look at her, she’s taking off! There’s room enough for all of us, We can share a pleasant view. Son, you don’t own the sidewalk— And I reckon I don’t either, do you? [Tag] We can take our time this evening, Let the faster folks get through. Got a good old walk ahead of us And a little learning left to do. [Outro — Spoken] Now, that was considerate, Trigger. Real considerate. [Pause] No, you don’t get the whole couch Just because you shared the sidewalk. [Harmonica flourish and band finish]
