Talkin' Karate Blues Lyrics - For The Sake Of The Song - Townes Van Zandt

Well, the next day I drove to the address 

By Japanese design I was really impressed 

It looked like a regular house 

Of the rising sun 

I walked inside, I was all alone 

I had a nervous feeling 

Down in my bones 

I was kind of sorry I'd ever even come 

Then a giant jape came through the door 

He must have been about seven foot four 

And he looked like he's prone 

To easy aggravation 

He said, "Lee Hung Chow, ah kee dung" 

That's Japanese for fee fie foo fum 

I tried to explain 

My entire situation 

He said, "Number one course, Yankee, self defense 

Two hundred dollars and twenty-five cents" 

I said, "What's the twenty five cents for?" 

And he said, "Repairs" 

I said, "Repairs to what?", and he said, "To you" 

And I thought to myself "Man, that won't do" 

Felt about a half inch tall 

Under that ol' slender stare 

Ah, you think he was yellow 

I said, "I believe, I better go check another place" 

He said, "Ha so, Yankee don't like my race" 

I said, "Now, there's a mistake, man 

And that's true" 

I've been for you you Japanese all along 

You Japanese just can't do no wrong 

And I thought you got mighty dirty deal 

In World War II 

Well, he grabbed me by the hand and gave a heave 

I figured there's a pretty good time to leave 

Before he had a chance 

To do me any definite harm 

But my plan worked out in the end, you see 

Now no bully is gonna pick on me 

Who's gonna hit a fellow 

With just one arm?