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Rip Van Winkle's Blues (I'm Tired)

from Failed Novels by Sam Steffen

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Rip Van Winkle’s Blues (I’m Tired) copyright sam steffen 2014

My baby called me up lastnight, asked me if I felt alright
I said I’m okay, she said, alright, I’ll be there in an hour
She picked me up and took me to, every bar along the avenue
I tried to say when I was through, but it wasn’t in my power
By the time the morning rolled around it seemed we’d been through half the town
I drunk so much I thought I’d drown if I didn’t die of thirst
She looked at me said aint this fun, and to think the weekend’s just begun
I said, now wait just a minute, hon, I got to break it to you first

Now I don’t know what you’re taking that keeps you going like you been
Coffee, cocaine, benzadrine or some amphetamine
But my energy is finite and it’s darn well near expired
And you know I hate to tell you, but my darling, I am tired

Next morning she’s as good as new, got ten thousand new things to do
And every one she puts me through like it’s a test for me
Wants to run a race and ride her bike, swim cross the river and take a hike
And everything she says it like its as easy as can be
Politely, I try to suggest that maybe we could just take a rest
Stop a while and catch our breath, or take a nap, at least
I just need a place to rest my head, don’t even need to be a bed
Just dig a hole and call me dead, but let me rest in peace

Now I ain’t exactly lazy and in fact I work quite hard
I’m out of bed fore sunrise and I come home well past dark
I’m in debt up to my eyeballs and I’ll never be retired
But I ain’t exactly kidding when I tell you I am tired

We made it home at half past three and right as I’m about to fall asleep
My babe says babe make love to me, and how could I refuse
We made it til the sun was high and the time for sleep had passed us by
I felt like I was gonna die if I didn’t cut her loose
So I got dressed she said, What’s wrong, I said, I gotta be a getting on
She said, Wait, I said, So long, and climbed down from her arms
She said don’t you care for me? I said, I do, but can’t you see
Exhaustion, it breeds apathy, and your love’s bound to do me harm

Now I’m tired of the homestead and I’m tired of the road
And I’m so tired of being tired I’m just about a ready to explode
Just a quiet place and darkness is all that I desired
From the moment that I met you all I been is well past tired

Well, when I finally got a chance to sleep, I slept quite fast and hard and deep
Never mind the counting sheep, I just went out like a light
I slept for days and weeks and months, slept through my birthday more than once
I slept through all the arguments I might’ve had to fight
Through earthquake fire flood and more, everything come knocking at my door
I slept right through the third world war and woke up all alone
I wandered through abandoned scenes in a vacant town among my dreams
To an empty port where a shanty leans and nobody is home

Now if anyone can hear me, if there’s anybody left
That ain’t packed up in a graveyard waiting for a rest
I used to be so tired, but to sleep was my mistake—
If I could do it all again I’d wish for strength to stay awake

credits

from Failed Novels, released November 3, 2014

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Sam Steffen Boise, Idaho

Sam Steffen is a Pennsylvania-bred, Boise-based singer-songwriter whose songs are the torch-wood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition and aims in spite of everything to keep the human spirit alive and kicking. A versatile musician and skilled finger-picker, Sam is at heart a story-teller, and a prolific one. ... more

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