Drivin’ through old Tucson near a south side draw where snakes and choya leave your rough skin raw Pulled up to a joint by a three-arm saguaro Ponied up for a beer and some carnitas tacos Walkin’ back to my rig spot an old boy shine settin’ a worn-out pinto in a drive-thru line He ordered a burger ‘tween a cop and a van no shirt with jeans he’s a somber man Well, there’s folks out there who ain’t what they seem, Even when they ain’t talkin’ they say what they mean I had a feeling this fella might prove me right that the best part of life is hidden in sight Sittin’ my tailgate tip the bottle dry, Wonderin’ where that cowboy lay his head at night. He grabs his sack, then he tugs the reins heads through the dirt down a barb wire lane Sheriff McGee rolls up on my right suckin’ on a straw with his mustache tight I said hey smokey if I just may ask you a question then I’m on my way The cop gave me the nod and I says hey Joe what’s with the guy on the ‘ol Pinto He says, “That’s Three Dollar Bill, and he ain’t quite right just a drunk with a horse sleepin’ out all night He just sets out there under the stars humming his song and pickin’ guitars Well, there’s folks out there who ain’t what they seem, Even when they ain’t talkin’ they say what they mean You might call it dumb, or blame my pride But I see the wisdom in an old soul’s eyes Well I can’t turn the world try as I might so I’ll turn three lefts just to make it right. Somethin’ gnaws at me, so I fire up my Ford, Follow that cowboy down the dusty road Soon as I seen that pinto lashed to the fence The sight of that 308 made me a little tense From over the rifle come a gravelly voice cuts through the air and demands a choice State your business why don’t ya son or you’ll get a haircut when my 308’s done There’s Three Dollar Bill, leather skin pulled tight No fingers on his left, no ear on his right He got ‘ol boots and he lost his shirt and an ‘ol guitar lyin’ there in the dirt I say, “Hey, neighbor, just checkin’ how you fare.” He lowers the rifle, says you “Got any beer?” Over the fire, we jaw into the night, His story unfolds in the flickering light. He fought in two wars, he lost three friends, He fought two wives, lost his home and three kids Done his penance, found a spark of light, but Three Dollar Bill, had fought his last fight. Well, there’s folks out there who ain’t what they seem, Even when they ain’t talkin’ they say what they mean You might call it dumb, or blame my pride But I see the wisdom in an old soul’s eyes Well I can’t turn the world try as I might so I’ll turn three lefts just to make it right. I stand up, bid him goodnight, he just nods my way through the fire light As I drive off away from the draw It hits me when… wisdom starts to shine is right at the end Well, Three Dollar Bill, he ain’t what he seemed, he fought his wars, chased his dreams. Tried to stay true, though he failed some tests, he turned true blue and gave his soul to the West. Just when he shone, they cast him aside, They left ‘ol Bill with nowhere to ride. There’s folks out there who ain’t what they seem, They speak truth, then they leave the scene. They treated ‘ol Bill like a three dollar bill with no regard for the value that’s real but Three Dollar Bill spent just as well as any three dollars in your wallet will
