In the smoke of a gun under Navajo skies
A Florida boy with a glance both sharp and wise
As hawks soared above he caught the public eye
Dreams of stunts and fame where the bold eagle flies
From small screen roots to a starlit ascent
Chasing lights on the path where the old West dies
Atop Hollywood he reigned supreme
His mustached smile a box office dream
For five straight years the leading man
Turned down Solo and Bond by his own plan
We didn't see what we had with a legend so true
We didn't cherish the moments until they were few
Oh Buddy with your charm you stole the scene
Oh darling darling Burt lived the dream
But brightest stars soon find shadows unexpectedly long
In less wise choices a descent both rapid and strong
Cop and a Half failed to sustain his high acclaim
From spotlight's blaze to obscure a drastically new game
As the light dwindles lesser roles he would claim
We didn't grasp what we had with a legend so rare
We overlooked the twilight as if we didn't care
Oh Buddy in your trials you faced the night
Oh darling darling Burt fought the good fight
With frailty all around The Last Movie Star
Rifkin's lens caught a fast fading light from afar
Come Thursday evening the screen turns black
A Field once shared now gone and no turning back
We didn't know what we had with a legend like you
We didn't value the scenes until they were through
Oh Buddy in that daring role you took a chance
Oh darling darling Burt gave us one last glance
As the screen grows dark and the echoes fade
Memories linger of the scenes he played
A legacy wrapped in the reels that spin
His laughter remains a perpetual grin
Through the roles he embraced our smiles ignite
In our hearts and tales Burt's legend stays alive