Sweet Crude Bill - The Down Low Lyrics

When I was a little bitty boy
I had technicolor dreams
My eyes were on them hills
I had all kinds of epic schemes

Like maybe I could be a pirate
Maybe do a song and dance
It didn't seem to be too far
As long as I took a chance

I was gonna have a good life
Never heard of the down low
It's all been done before
Meant nothing to me

When I was about twenty one
I was working as a painter full-time
And all my dreams kept setting sail
But I kept getting left behind

One day I was working on a millionaire's house
Stepped inside for some iced tea
I stumbled upon an open vault
And got a million bucks for free

I was gonna have a good life
Never heard of the down low
I don't care what was done before
I was gonna have my day

I'd be drinking that fine wine
Hit the silver screen in my spare time
No more standing in line
For a guy like me

Just about then
The man came in
And said "Boy, what you got say?"
So I used that paintbrush under my shirt
And I made my getaway

But I had to head down underground
I'm on the shores of a foreign sea
And each day as I walk around
I sing this melody

Got to keep it on the down low
No chance for the good life
Real life in black and white
For Paintbrush Willie