Summer Wages Lyrics - Bobby Bare

Never hit seventeen when you play against the dealer 

For you know the odds won't ride with you 

Never leave your woman alone when your friends around to steal her 

Years I've gambled and lost like summer wages. 

And we'll keep rolling on till we get to Vancouver 

And the woman that I love is living there 

It's been six long months and more since I've seen her 

May be gambled and gone like summer wages. 

In all of the beer bars all down along Main Street 

The dreams of the seasons get all spilled down on the floor 

All the big stands of timber just waitin' for falling 

And the hookers waitin' watchfully as they sit there by the door. 

So, I'll work on the towboats with my slippery city shoes on 

Which I swore I would never do again 

Through the gray fog-bound straits where the cedars stand a waitin' 

I'll be far off and gone like summer wages. 

--- Instrumental --- 

In all of the beer bars all down along Main Street 

The dreams of the seasons get all spilled down on the floor 

All the big stands of timber just waitin' for falling 

And the hookers waitin' watchfully as they sit there by the door. 

So, I'll work on the towboats with my slippery city shoes on 

Which I swore I would never do again 

Through the gray fog-bound straits where the cedars stand a waitin' 

I'll be far off and gone like summer wages. 

Years I've gambled and lost like summer wages...