William Lee Ellis - Peg Leg Sam Lyrics

Half a death's head in a porkpie hat
Stumping through life with a harp
Worked half an acre and lived in a shack
But he blew for the folks all over the map
Blew for the folks all over the map

Lost one leg in a Raleigh train yard
Half his face to an angry man
Left this life for a charity ward
But thousands knew him as Peg Leg Sam
Thousands knew him as Peg Leg Sam

There were more, nameless or nearly so
Played so Peg danced up and down
Now those left are old men without bite
And whistled passions that fade into night
Buck-danced passions that fade into night

Peg Leg Sam, gymnastic dancer's dead
He joins his leg
Rufe, the Cheef, Babe, Pink, and Sim
Say, "Welcome home Peg"

So take your harp with you, you hideous ham
Say hey to the Chief when you get to where you go
May the greens be greasy and the livin' be easy
And your name up in lights: Sam's Medicine Show
Your name up in lights: Sam's Medicine Show