Vici Skladanowski
A MAN OF FEW WORDS
(in the voice of Rhae Foster)
My mule just died – the one I called Mac
One hell of a beast – surefooted, strong back
Been with me for years, I can still hear his bray
Nothin’ lasts forever, so what can I say?
My wife stayed with me almost twenty years
She warned that she’d leave me – I just didn’t hear
Said she needed affection, conversation, bouquets
But I am how I am, so what can I say?
That strong hail last month took the tops off the wheat
Now folks there in Russia won’t have bread to eat
It looked real good, too – ‘til that chilled, cloudy day
Can’t predict the weather, so what can I say?
The daughter left home last year in the fall
Walked out in the night – doesn’t write, doesn’t call
I’ve read of young hookers on the streets of L.A.
I hope she’s not with them, but what can I say?
New calves on the north range got caught in that storm
It snowed late last spring and they couldn’t stay warm
My banker won’t like me when it’s time to pay
But what could I do? And what can I say?
Uncle Sam now possesses my only son
He hated this ranch – said life here’s no fun
Said I was a tyrant – all work and no play
He’s left me short handed, but what can I say?
Grazingland west of the road’s up in smoke
A bolt from the north flashed and struck that dry oak
Ground’s charred and black like the earth on doomsday
Was a sure act of God, so what can I say?
The tractor broke down and the baler won’t work
It was goin’ just fine but then stopped with a jerk
Perturbs me, I’m three weeks behind with the hay
I know rain’s a-comin’, but what can I say?
At times I’m not sure what life’s all about
Hard work is my virtue, of that there’s no doubt
I’d be praised by my Pappy, could he see me today
Kept my nose to the grindstone, what more can I say?
But now I’ve that lived long enough to look back
I wonder if Pappy was a little off track
Is a man only worth what he’s done in a day?
Well, that’s what he taught me – what can I say?
My wife was a helpmate, and pretty as well
I miss her good cookin’, her laughter, her smell
If I had one more chance I might ask her to stay
But those days are gone, so what can I say?
Sixteen’s awful young to be out on the street
I hope that girl’s safe and has somethin’ to eat
I remember her singin’ and dancin’ and gay
I miss her some now, but what can I say?
I wanted my son to become a good man
A hardworkin’ partner – that was my plan
Should I have hugged him or done some horseplay?
Oh well, he’s gone now, so what can I say?
Grim Reaper’s here early, he shows no respect
A tumor has got me, it’s here in my neck
Thought I’d live longer but I’ll soon be clay
Doc says there’s no hope, so what can I say?
My life’s almost over, I’m stuck in this bed
Been thinkin’ ‘bout things that I might have said
As I lie here a-dyin’, time fadin’ away
Not a word comes to mind. I have nothin’ to say.