The Grateful Dead — Wharf Rat Live at Fillmore East NYC April 1971

[Verse 1] Old man down Way down down, down by the docks of the city Blind and dirty Asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story [Verse 2] My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best, more than my wine Everyone said, I'd come to no good, I knew I would pearly, believe them Half of my life, I spent doing time for some other fucker’s crime The other half found me stumbling 'round drunk on burgundy wine [Bridge] But I'll get back on my feet someday Good Lord willing, if he says I may I know that the life I’m living's no good I'll get a new start, live the life I should [Refrain] I'll get up and fly away I'll get up and fly away, fly away [Verse 3] Pearly's been true, true to me, true to my dying day he said I said to him, "I'm sure she's been, I’m sure she’s been" I said to him, "I'm sure she’s been true to you" [Verse 4] Got up and wandered, wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around I've got a girl, named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl's been true to me I know she's been, I’m sure she's been true to me [Instrumental]