2025 Competition Lyrics Entry:

Rich Man’s Blues by Travis Lemke

Lyrics

RICH MAN’S BLUES

A Am A Am A Am A Am
Rich man said to his young one

A Am A Am A A Am A Am
“We’re going to the country my sad son.

A Am A Am A Am A Am
Gonna show you how the poor folks livin’

A Am A Am A A Am A Am
So ya know whatcha got given.”


Am D#dim Dm Caug Am D#dim Dm Caug
After three days on their return, Father said, “Son, what did you learn?”

Am Caug D#dim Dm Am D#dim Dm Caug
Son said, “Papa, we got two dogs, but they had four plus a turtle and a frog.”

A Adim A Adim Gm Am
“And Papa now I’m gonna tell you true,

A Adim A Adim G A
Yes, in our garden we have a pool.

A Adim A Adim G A
But they have a creek with no end


G A Adim A Adim ———–
Dirty hands and feet from playing in the sand.”


A Am A Am A Am A Am
“We got lights in the courtyard at home

A Am A Am A A Am A Am
They got a sky full of stars to roam.

A Am A Am A Am A Am
We can only see as far as our front gate

A Am A Am A A Am A Am
They have horizons laying in wait.”

Am D#dim Dm Caug Am D#dim Dm Caug
“We have servants to do our will. They serve others and are fulfilled.

Am D#dim Dm Caug
The only thing that seems to bring them down,

Am D#dim Dm Caug
Is when we ask too much in the name of the crown.”


A Adim A Adim G A
“And now Papa gonna tell you true

A Adim A Adim G A
We have walls at our home too.

A Adim A Adim G A
They don’t need walls cause they have friends

A Adim A Adim ————–
I think it’s time we made some amends.

The Rich man gazed at his young son
He had no words, his tongue on the run
His son looked up with eyes so far
Said, “Thanks for showing me how poor we are.”

Author

Bio

I live in Idaho, been playing music for over 30 years. Mostly play guitar but have years of playing bass as well. Also play drums and keyboards. I’ve played jazz, funk, blues, rock, punk rock, and metal.

Co-author(s)

Lyrics Competition Results

Emotional Impact:
17/ 20
Technical Skill:
14/ 20
Memorability:
16/ 20
Storytelling:
17/ 20
Imagery:
9/ 20
Total Score:
73/ 100
Commended

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