The Ballard Of J Drummer

In year one-nine-nine-six-o-one
The last numeral was upside down
Johnny Drummer came to the outskirts of town

People came out and shouted at him
Some people came out and shouted at him
Say, show us your sticks
Then they went back to their computer tricks

It hit a town with no life to begin
Where they forgot the facts
Two sticks make up a cross

Why is it always this way?
Why do they always have to say
Hey Johnny, get out of the way

He looked in the mirror and said, "I am not him"
He stood outside a bar and raised the nerve to go in
The window hosted at least forty-five men
Wondered which one was waiting for him

And the boy at the machine meant him no harm
But to him the boy was staring again at him
The rhythm over in his head again

Men, boys and girls, don't ever follow the path
Of being hard and tough when your heart is soft