Oh they thought that I was handsome,

Back in my younger days,

I had a six-pack to be proud of,

And my hair was brown not grey,

I spoke several different languages,

Played piano and guitar,

Sang at the Grand Ol’ Opry,

I was a well-known country star,

And I made a real good living,

Had a mansion on the hill,

Did anything I wanted,

I had so much time to kill,

There was an endless flow of money,

Like I could print the stuff myself,

Gold discs adorned the hallway,

And trophies lined the shelf,

I had a couple of hundred acres,

Private tennis court and pool,

And enough gold around my neck,

To make a sultan stop and drool,

I knew more women than was decent,

And had a few wives along the way,

Yes they all thought I was special,

Well, if they could see me here today,

What hair is left is growing thin,

And my pearly teeth are black,

My bright blue eyes have lost their shine,

And the six-packs turned to fat,

Rheumatism has my hands,

I can’t play a tune no more,

And I can’t recall the languages,

I used to speak before,

They say the drugs and alcohol,

For years have left their mark,

And I’ve swapped the mansion on the hill,

For a bench down in the park,

Because ex-wives and the tax man,

Have bled me till I’m dry,

And I’ve no one else to blame but me,

God knows I realize,

But I thought I was invincible,

I was sure I knew it all

But the paparazzi couldn’t wait,

To see this big man fall,

So now no one wants my autograph,

And I’ve long since been asked to sing,

And the money's long been dried up,

From that ever flowing spring,

But now and then somebody passing,

Will flash an awkward smile,

Recall when I was famous,

And sit and talk awhile,

About how they loved my music,

And followed my career,

And how sad it is, a star like me,

Should find himself down here,

Then they’ll offer me some money,

To buy a coffee and some food,

And say, “please don’t be offended,

I not meaning to be rude”,

But I’m at the bottom of the barrel,

Too hungry to be proud,

And those that thought that I was special,

If they could only see me now.

By S E Ralph

24-11-2008