The King of Rag & Bone

from Out of Step by Schubertiad

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lyrics

The king of rag & bone
unwell and left alone
composed with strings
and hollow things
odd music of his own

He’d sing down in the square
with crown of silver hair
but they’d ignore
this troubadour
whose sounds would thread the air

O rag & bone!
Hail king rag & bone!

The king of rag & bone
newspaper microphone
a pauper lord
long unadored
with feeble voice intoned
he ruled no one
his riches none
a park bench for a throne

O rag & bone!
Mad king rag and bone!

His public passed him by
they couldn’t fathom why
this wretch would write
for his delight
strange songs no soul would buy
he must be dim
such worthless hymns!
with harmonies awry

O rag & bone!
Poor king rag & bone!
But how you shone!
Good king rag & bone!

Alas old rag & bone
from this cruel world has flown
his huddled shape
with mouth agape
lay frozen on the stones
and not a friend
to mark his end
and his life’s work never known

Goodbye rag & bone!

©2013

credits

from Out of Step, released March 13, 2013

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