Charlie's Funeral

Charlie died with two dollars in his hand.
A thundercloud rolled over his face.
His pants were wrinkled and his shirt unbuttoned.
Charlie was my best friend.
He blew the horn at Jake's Jazz Emporium.

Charlie died with two dollars in his hand.
He was crawling to the bar saying, "Whiskey, whiskey."
Nobody made a move.
A naked dame with daisies in her hair
ashed on the table.
Three flights of stairs creaked.
The whores crinkled their mouths.
Six dollars of pool was shot.
Thirty-five dollars of draft was drunk,
The rain beat in time with the juke box.
Even umbrellas were useless.

Charlie died with two dollars in his hand.
They took his ring and watch
but left his wallet.
Three guys dead because they knew me.
Arnold Clemsy dead on the sidewalk.
Basil Berin dead in a gutter.
Charlie Walters dead in his dressing room.
The guys who did it are next.
I'm a union man.
I won't even reload.
I'm packing two guns this time.

Charlie died with two dollars in his hand.