[Intro — fuzzy guitar, organ hum] Verse 1 Barney Brown gets up at nine, Puts his Sunday shirt on Monday time, Feeds the cat and waters the stone, Then wonders why he's still alone. He's got a photograph of 1983, A broken watch and a PhD In knowing when to leave a party, Just before somebody says, “Don't go.” Chorus You're a good man, Barney Brown, Though you never seem to write things down, You give your last five cents away, Then forget where you put your change. Verse 2 Barney bought a yellow car, It only made it halfway to the bar, He pushed it home beneath the moon, Singing “Sweet Jane” terribly out of tune. He says the future's looking bright, Then spends three hours fixing the light, His neighbours think he's slightly mad, But every neighbour secretly likes that. Chorus You're a good man, Barney Brown, A little lost but you won't stay down, If the world should turn upside down, I'll be looking for you, Barney Brown. [Middle Eight — drums drop out] He smiles and says, “Well, that's all right,” Lights a cigarette against the night, And for a moment everything is clear— The end of the world can wait another year. [Fuzz guitar solo — 8 bars] Final Chorus You're a good man, Barney Brown, With your second-hand crown and your upside-down town, You never had a penny to spare, But you always had one to share. When everybody else has gone, You'll still be humming your favourite song. Outro Barney Brown... Barney Brown... Goodnight, good luck, Don't let the world wear you down. [Tape slows; distant backing vocals] “You're a good man...”
