The Army of the Rear
I listened through the music and the sounds of revelry,
And all the hollow noises of that year of Jubilee;
I heard beyond the music and beyond the local cheer,
The steady tramp of thousands that were marching in the rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
They seem to shake the air,
Those never-ceasing footsteps of the outcasts in the rear.
I heard defiance ringing from the men of rags and dirt,
I heard wan woman singing that sad “Song of the Shirt”,
And o’er the sounds of menace and moaning low and drear,
I heard the steady tramping of their feet along the rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
Vibrating in the air —
They’re swelling fast, those footsteps of the Army of the Rear!
I hate the wrongs I read about, I hate the wrongs I see!
The tramping of that army sounds as music unto me!
A music that is terrible, that frights the anxious ear,
Is beaten from the weary feet that tramp along the rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
In dogged, grim despair —
They have a goal, those footsteps of the Army of the Rear!
I looked upon the nobles, with their lineage so old;
I looked upon their mansions, on their acres and their gold,
I saw their women radiant in jewelled robes appear,
And then I joined the army of the outcasts in the rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
We’ll show what Want can dare,
My brothers and my sisters of the Army of the Rear!
I looked upon the mass of poor, in filthy alleys pent;
And on rich men’s Edens, that are built on grinding rent;
I looked o’er London’s miles of slums — I saw the horrors there,
And swore to die a soldier of the Army of the Rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
I’ve sworn to do and dare,
I’ve sworn to die a soldier of the Army of the Rear!
“They’re brutes,” so say the wealthy, “and by steel must be dismayed” —
Be brutes among us, nobles, they are brutes that ye have made;
We want what God hath given us, we want our portion here,
And that is why we’re marching — and we’ll march beyond the rear!
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
Awake and have a care,
Ye proud and haughty spurners of the wretches in the rear.
We’ll nurse our wrongs to strengthen us, our hate that it may grow,
For, outcast from society, society’s our foe.
Beware! who grind out human flesh, for human life is dear!
There’s menace in the marching of the Army of the Rear.
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
There’s danger in despair,
There’s danger in the marching of the Army of the Rear!
The wealthy care not for our wants, nor for the pangs we feel;
Our hands have clutched in vain for bread, and now they clutch for steel!
Come, men of rags and hunger, come! There’s work for heroes here!
There’s room still in the vanguard of the Army of the Rear!
Tramp! tramp! tramp!
O men of want and care!
There’s glory in the vanguard of the Army of the Rear!
poem by Henry Lawson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
King Bibler's Army
It was ten years ago when the belle of the village
Gave here her hand to the young millionaire,
Every toungue (even those of the bells in the steeple)
Saying "Joy to the Heav'n-blest pair!"
She was sweet as the rosebud that blooms in the valley;
He was manly, and noble, and brave.
Tell me, where are they now?
In the sad-eyed procession,
Marching, down, down, down to the grave.
Hark! hark! a pageant passes
(tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp):
I hear the tread of moving masses
(tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp)
O Heaven save our young men --
'tis King Bibler's Army,
Marching down, down, down to the grave.
At the head of the boat are the dashing lieutenants
Who entice young recruits into line;
Arm in arm, three abreast, they keep step with the music,
Bearing goblets of blood red wine.
In the rear, by and by, we shall see them together,
As they stagger along on the pave,
With their wives and their children, a rag-robed procession,
Marching, down, down, down to the grave.
From the front to the rear is the rule of promotion
In the army King Bibler commands;
And the pension is pov'rty, disease and dishonor,
With a forfeit of home and lands.
So the friend that was treated to cordials and juleps,
Will be treated at last like a slave,
As he fags at the end of the chaingang procession,
Marching, down, down, down to the grave.
Would you fill up the ranks? let your town send its quota:
Seventy thousand recruits must be found,
For the gravediggers reckon they bury that number
Every year in the cold, cold ground.
Yet the rest hobble on, and the colors they carry,
Though in tatters, triumphantly wave,
For they vanquish themselves in this madman's procession,
Marching, down, down, down to the grave.
poem by Henry Clay Work
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Interesting animation by Max and Dave Fleischer in which the audience was to sing along with lyrics on the screen.
from Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1924)
Submitted by Film Fan
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The Two Samaritans and the Tramp
A TRAMP was trampin’ on the road—
The afternoon was warm an’ muggy—
And by-and-by he chanced to meet
A parsin ridin’ in a buggy.
Said he: “As follerers ov the Loard,
To do good offices we oughter!”
An’ from a water-bag he poured,
An’ guv the tramp, a drink er water.
The parsin he went rattlin’ ’ome
To ware his fam-i-lee was thrivin’,
The tramp went on until he met
A bullick-driver, bullick drivin’—
“It’s bilin’ ’ot,” the driver sed
As soon’s the dirty tramp drawed nearer,
And from a little keg he poured,
And giv the tramp a pint of beer—“ah!”
(P.S.—The “ah” is meant to stand for the tramp a-drinking ov it.)
I ain’t agin the temperance cause,
Nor yet no advocate ov drinkin’—
I only tells the yarn because—
Well, at the time it somehow seemed
Ter kind ov set me thinkin’.
poem by Henry Lawson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lady Is A Tramp
I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew, and never wished for Turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from Maine to Albuquerque
Alas, I missed the Beaux Arts Ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored Noel Ca-ad (Coward)
But social circles spin too fast for me
My "hobohemia" is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I like the theater, but never come late
I never bother, with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's o'k
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I go to Coney, the beach is divine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I follow Winchell, and read every line
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
That's why the lady is a tramp
song performed by by Ella Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shadow March
All around the house is the jet-black night;
It stares through the window-pane;
It crawls in the corners, hiding from the light,
And it moves with the moving flame.
Now my little heart goes a beating like a drum,
With the breath of the Bogies in my hair;
And all around the candle and the crooked shadows come,
And go marching along up the stair.
The shadow of the balusters, the shadow of the lamp,
The shadow of the child that goes to bed--
All the wicked shadows coming tramp, tramp, tramp,
With the black night overhead.
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Tramp On The Street
Recorded by: hank williams, sr.
Writers: grady and hazel colecapo: 1st fret/key: eb/play: d
[d] only a tramp was lazarus sad [g] fate
He who lay do-[a7] wn at the rich mans [d] gate
He begged for the crumbs from the rich man to [g] eat
He was only a [d] tramp found [a7] dead on the [d] street.[d] he was some mothers darlin, he was some mothers [g] son
Once he was [a7] fair and once he was [d] young
And some mother rocked him, her darlin to [g] sleep
But they left him to [d] die like a [a7] tramp on the [d] street.jesus, he died on calvarys tree
He shed his lifes blood for you and for me
They pierced his side and then his feet
And they left him to die like a tramp on the street.he was marys own darlin, he was gods chosen son
Once he was fair and once he was young
Mary, she rocked him, her darlin to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street. if jesus should come and knock on your door
For a place to come in, or bread from your store
Would you welcome him in, or turn him away
Then the gods would deny you on the great judgement day.
song performed by by Hank Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Lady Is A Tramp
Ive wined and dined on mulligan stew, and never wished for turkey
As I hitched and hiked and grifted too, from maine to albuquerque
Alas, I missed the beaux arts ball, and what is twice as sad
I was never at a party where they honored noel ca-ad (coward)
But social circles spin too fast for me
My hobohemia is the place to be
I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
I like the theater, but never come late
I never bother, with people I hate
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I dont like crap games, with barons and earls
Wont go to harlem, in ermine and pearls
Wont dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like the free, fresh wind in her hair
Life without care
Im broke, its ok
Hate california, its cold and its damp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I go to coney, the beach is devine
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
I find a winchell, and read every line
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like a prizefight, that isnt a fake
I love the rowing, on central park lake
I go to opera and stay wide awake
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like the green grass under my shoes
What can I lose, Im flat, thats that
Im alone when I lower my lamp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
Transcribed by todd peach
########################
A few additional verses from the ella in berlin cd:
Girls get massages, they cry and they moan
Tell slender ella to leave me alone
Im not so hot, but my shape is my own
Thats why the lady is a tramp
The food at the kopensky is perfect, no doubt
I couldnt tell you wha the ritz is about
Drop a nickle in, and coffee comes out
Thats why the lady is a tramp
Like the sweet, fresh, rain in my face
Diamonds and lace, no got, so what? !
For frank sinatra, I whistle and stamp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
Shes a hobo
Shes a scamp
Shes a no-good kinda tramp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
song performed by by Ella Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Tramp On The Street
Recorded by: hank williams, sr.
Writers: grady and hazel cole capo: 1st fret/key: eb/play: d
[d] only a tramp was lazarus sad [g] fate
He who lay do-[a7] wn at the rich mans [d] gate
He begged for the crumbs from the rich man to [g] eat
He was only a [d] tramp found [a7] dead on the [d] street. [d] he was some mothers darlin, he was some mothers [g] son
Once he was [a7] fair and once he was [d] young
And some mother rocked him, her darlin to [g] sleep
But they left him to [d] die like a [a7] tramp on the [d] street. jesus, he died on calvarys tree
He shed his lifes blood for you and for me
They pierced his side and then his feet
And they left him to die like a tramp on the street. he was marys own darlin, he was gods chosen son
Once he was fair and once he was young
Mary, she rocked him, her darlin to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street. if jesus should come and knock on your door
For a place to come in, or bread from your store
Would you welcome him in, or turn him away
Then the gods would deny you on the great judgement day.
song performed by by Hank Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tramp On The Street
(grady cole & hazel cole, kinky friedman)
Only a tramp was lazarus sad fate
He who lay down by the rich man s gate.
He begged for some crumbs from the rich man to eat,
He was only a tramp found dead on the street.
If jesus he comes on and knocks on your door
Will he find love and kindness or hatred and war ?
Will you turn him away with nothing to eat ?
Will you leave him to die like a tramp on the street ?
Poor jewboy you ve rambled this cold world alone
Just a-prayin that heaven is no place like home.
May the good lord he bless you and keep you in health
And remember that jesus was a jewboy hisself.
song performed by by Kinky Friedman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Tramp On The Street
(grady cole & hazel cole, kinky friedman)
Only a tramp was lazarus sad fate
He who lay down by the rich man s gate.
He begged for some crumbs from the rich man to eat,
He was only a tramp found dead on the street.
If jesus he comes on and knocks on your door
Will he find love and kindness or hatred and war ?
Will you turn him away with nothing to eat ?
Will you leave him to die like a tramp on the street ?
Poor jewboy you ve rambled this cold world alone
Just a-prayin that heaven is no place like home.
May the good lord he bless you and keep you in health
And remember that jesus was a jewboy hisself.
song performed by by Kinky Friedman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Lady Is A Tramp (Live)
(Richard Rodgers/Lorentz Hart)
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theatre but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the crap games with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like that cool fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke!
Hate california
It's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theatre but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like the crap games with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like that cool fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
I'm broke, it's oke!
Hate california
It's cold and it's damp
That's why the lady is a tramp
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Lady Is A Tramp
(richard rodgers/lorentz hart)
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theatre but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like the crap games with barons and earls
Wont go to harlem in ermine and pearls
Wont dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like that cool fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
Im broke, its oke!
Hate california
Its cold and its damp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I get too hungry for dinner at eight
I like the theatre but never come late
I never bother with people I hate
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like the crap games with barons and earls
Wont go to harlem in ermine and pearls
Wont dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
Thats why the lady is a tramp
I like that cool fresh wind in my hair
Life without care
Im broke, its oke!
Hate california
Its cold and its damp
Thats why the lady is a tramp
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Tramp
He sleeps alone in the damp
And rests his head upon a door
The only bed he knows is the floor,
The tramp
Turned up collar and worn out shoes
He doesnt care cause he hasnt got nothing to lose
He sleeps alone in the damp
And rests his head upon a door
The only bed he knows is the floor,
The tramp
No companion to take him home
His only friends are the kind that just leave him alone
No one knows just how lonely his life has been
In a world that lives in a dream
He sleeps alone in the damp
And rests his head upon a door
The only bed he knows is the floor,
The tramp
song performed by by Cat Stevens
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Old Tramp
A Old Tramp slep' in our stable wunst,
An' The Raggedy Man he caught
An' roust him up, an' chased him off
Clean out through our back lot!
An' th' Old Tramp hollered back an' said,--
'You're a _purty_ man!--_You_ air!--
With a pair o' eyes like two fried eggs,
An' a nose like a Bartlutt pear!'
poem by James Whitcomb Riley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Wallaby Brigade
You often have been told of regiments brave and bold,
But we are the bravest in the land;
We're called the Tag-rag Band, and we rally in Queensland,
We are members of the Wallaby Brigade.
Tramp, tramp, tramp across the borders,
The swagmen are rolling up, I see.
When the shearing's at an end we'll go fishing in a bend.
Then hurrah! for the Wallaby Brigade.
When you are leaving camp, you must ask some brother tramp
If there are any jobs to be had,
Or what sort of a shop that station is to stop
For a member of the Wallaby Brigade.
You ask me if they want men, you ask for rations then,
If they don't stump up a warning should be made;
To teach them better sense—why, "Set fire to their fence"
Is the war cry of the Wallaby Brigade.
The squatters thought us done when they fenced in all their run,
But a prettier mistake they never made;
You've only to sport your dover and knock a monkey over
There's cheap mutton for the Wallaby Brigade.
Now when the shearing's in our harvest will begin,
Our swags for a spell down will be laid;
But when our cheques are drank we will join the Tag-rag rank,
Limeburners in the Wallaby Brigade.
poem by Andrew Barton Paterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Thoughts in a Far Country
I rise and applaud, in the patriot manner,
Whenever (as often) I hear
The palpitanat strains of "The Star Spangled Banner,"--
I shout and cheer.
And also, to show my unbound devotion,
I jump to my feet with a "Whee!"
Whenever "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean"
Is played near me.
My fervour's so hot and my ardour so searing--
I'm hoarse for a couple of days--
You've heard me, I'm positive, joyously cheering
"The Marsailles"
I holler for "Dixie." I go off my noodle,
I whistle, I pound, and I stamp
Whenever an orchestra plays "Yankee Doodle,"
Or "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp."
But if you would enter my confidence, reader,
Know that I'd go clean off my dome,
And madly embrace any orchestra leader
For "Home, Sweet Home."
poem by Franklin P. Adams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Red Retreat
Tramp, tramp, the grim road, the road from Mons to Wipers
(I've 'ammered out this ditty with me bruised and bleedin' feet);
Tramp, tramp, the dim road -- we didn't 'ave no pipers,
And bellies that was 'oller was the drums we 'ad to beat.
Tramp, tramp, the bad road, the bits o' kiddies cryin' there,
The fell birds a-flyin' there, the 'ouses all aflame;
Tramp, tramp, the sad road, the pals I left a-lyin' there,
Red there, and dead there. . . . Oh blimy, it's a shame!
A-singin' "'Oo's Yer Lady Friend?" we started out from 'Arver,
A-singin' till our froats was dry -- we didn't care a 'ang;
The Frenchies 'ow they lined the way, and slung us their palaver,
And all we knowed to arnser was the one word "vang";
They gave us booze and caporal, and cheered for us like crazy,
And all the pretty gels was out to kiss us as we passed;
And 'ow they all went dotty when we 'owled the Marcelaisey!
Oh, Gawd! Them was the 'appy days, the days too good to last.
We started out for God Knows Where, we started out a-roarin';
We 'ollered: "'Ere We Are Again", and 'struth! but we was dry.
The dust was gummin' up our ears, and 'ow the sweat was pourin';
The road was long, the sun was like a brazier in the sky.
We wondered where the 'Uns was -- we wasn't long a-wonderin',
For down a scruff of 'ill-side they rushes like a flood;
Then oh! 'twas music 'eavenly, our batteries a-thunderin',
And arms and legs went soarin' in the fountain of their blood.
For on they came like bee-swarms, a-hochin' and a-singin';
We pumped the bullets into 'em, we couldn't miss a shot.
But though we mowed 'em down like grass, like grass was they a-springin',
And all our 'ands was blistered, for our rifles was so 'ot.
We roared with battle-fury, and we lammed the stuffin' out of 'em,
And then we fixed our bay'nets and we spitted 'em like meat.
You should 'ave 'eard the beggars squeal; you should 'ave seen the rout of 'em,
And 'ow we cussed and wondered when the word came: Retreat!
Retreat! That was the 'ell of it. It fair upset our 'abits,
A-runnin' from them blighters over 'alf the roads of France;
A-scurryin' before 'em like a lot of blurry rabbits,
And knowin' we could smash 'em if we just 'ad 'alf a chance.
Retreat! That was the bitter bit, a-limpin' and a-blunderin';
All day and night a-hoofin' it and sleepin' on our feet;
A-fightin' rear guard actions for a bit o' rest, and wonderin'
If sugar beets or mangels was the 'olesomest to eat.
Ho yus, there isn't many left that started out so cheerily;
There was no bands a-playin' and we 'ad no autmobeels.
Our tummies they was 'oller, and our 'eads was 'angin' wearily,
And if we stopped to light a fag the 'Uns was on our 'eels.
That rotten road! I can't forget the kids and mothers flyin' there,
The bits of barns a-blazin' and the 'orrid sights I sor;
The stiffs that lined the wayside, me own pals a-lyin' there,
Their faces covered over wiv a little 'eap of stror.
Tramp, tramp, the red road, the wicked bullets 'ummin'
(I've panted out this ditty with me 'ot 'ard breath.)
Tramp, tramp, the dread road, the Boches all a-comin',
The lootin' and the shootin' and the shrieks o' death.
Tramp, tramp, the fell road, the mad 'orde pursuin' there,
And 'ow we 'urled it back again, them grim, grey waves;
Tramp, tramp, the 'ell road, the 'orror and the ruin there,
The graves of me mateys there, the grim, sour graves.
poem by Robert William Service
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Have the Cavalry Done?
What have the cavalry done?
Cantered and trotted about,
Routin' the enemy out,
Causin' the beggars to run!
And we tramped along in the blazin' heat,
Over the veldt on our weary feet.
Tramp, tramp, tramp
Under the blazin' sun,
With never the sight of a bloomin' Boer,
'Cause they'd hunted 'em long before --
That's what the cavalry done!
What have the gunners done
Battlin' every day,
Battlin' any way.
Boers outranged 'em, but what cared they?
"Shoot and be damned," said the R.H.A.!
See! when the fight grows hot,
Under the rifles or not,
Always the order runs,
"Fetch up the bloomin' guns!"
And you'd see them great gun horses spring
To the "action front" -- and around they'd swing.
Find the range with some queer machine
"At four thousand with fuse fourteen.
Ready! Fire number one!"
Handled the battery neat and quick!
Stick to it, too! How did they stick!
Never a gunner was seen to run!
Never a gunner would leave his gun!
Not though his mates dropped all around!
Always a gunner would stand his ground.
Take the army -- the infantry,
Mounted rifles, and cavalry,
Twice the numbers I'd give away,
And I'd fight the lot with the R.H.A.,
For they showed us how a corps should be run,
That's what the gunners done!
poem by Andrew Barton Paterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Wedding In Paris
Wedding in Paris
Coming out of the church after the wedding there were
smiles and cameras clicked, from the steps I could look
down into a park, a tramp was going through a bin
looking for something to eat, he found and ate what looked
like a half eaten pizza. With all the clatter going on
I slipped away, had a whisky in a bar across the road,
saw the tramp coming out of the park, my idea was to give
him some money for food, but I was self-conscious and
hated the thought of looking patronizing so I had another
whisky instead.
poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Better Do It Well
(gary moffet/myles goodwyn)
Published by goody two tunes, inc. - bmi
She was a lady, sitting alone
Played out of line
She does a number, out on the floor
She is so fine
Get it up, get it up
Drinkin my papaya
Good to see things my way baby
Whatd you say, hey
Tramp of the neighborhood
Not bad looking and feels so good
I knew the lady had something to tell
If youre gonna love me better do it well
Come on babe, show me a sign
I wanna know
One says right, one says left
I dont know which way to go
Ooh, you got love, you got love
Turn on the lights
Wont you send it my way
Yeah, come on, well do it tonight
Tramp of the neighborhood
Not bad looking and feels so good
I knew the lady had something to tell
If youre gonna love me better do it well
Do you love her, I dont know
Well do you need her, I think so
Do you, do you have to act so blind
Girl you got my love and then you leave me behind
Tramp of the neighborhood
Not bad looking and feels so good
I knew the lady had something to tell
If youre gonna love me better do it well
If youre gonna love me better do it well
If youre gonna love me better do it well
Tramp of the neighborhood
Not bad looking and feels so good
I knew the lady had something to tell
If youre gonna love me better do it well
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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