Years ago in another life
I had a friend named Jimmy D
He could make me laugh until I cried
And he taught me how to see
He loved a man from the city
A businessman I believe
Who carried something deadly
Jimmy got it and he had to leave
He said once his father told him
He was an abomination before God
The old man said don't spoil the child
And spare the rod.
I said Jesus Jim you can be a real downer sometimes you don't even have to try
He just laughed and said that's ok boy big girls don't cry
The nightingale sings and red hawks fly
The passing storm leaves behind a rainbow in the sky
And ain't it just the way the old Queens say
Wipe your eyes now boy big girls don't cry
His mother came to see me after Jimmy went away.
She said was he happy when you knew him
I said I don't really know.
I couldn't say
She said his father just sits there in his chair
And I do my best to get by
I said did you know he was an artist
Not all that good but man he tried