Shoe Shine Blues

The shoe shine guy in the corner
Has got a secret he can't reveal
Even from the pastor on Sunday
He tries his very best to conceal
He's fond of the booze
He's got the shoe shine blues.

Shoe shine pitch by the river
Round the corner from the tube
Smiling for well-heeled clients
Wealth reflected in their shoes
He's fond of the booze
He's got the shoe shine blues.

Too much booze is for losers
He's totally lost track of time
Family no longer around him
They've left him far behind
He's got the blues
He's got the shoe shine blues

Shoe shine guy had a wife once
She really tried to understand
Then one day she walked out
One too many one nightstands
He's fond of the booze
He's got the shoe shine blues.

Too much booze is for losers
He's totally lost track of time
Family no longer around him
They've left him far behind
He's got the blues
He's got the shoe shine blues

He's got the shoe shine, shoe shine blues
He's got the shoe shine, shoe shine blues

Shoe shine guy has lost it
Working with his cloth and brush
Putting brown polish on black shoes
Now he plays guitar and busks
He's fond of the booze
He's got the shoe shine blues.

Too much booze is for losers
He's totally lost track of time
Family no longer around him
They've left him far behind
He's got the blues
He's got the shoe shine blues