The Grateful Dead — Wharf Rat Live in Providence RI September 4 1980

[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 More than my wine More than my maker, though he's no friend of mine [Verse 3] 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 around drunk on burgundy wine [Bridge] But I'll get back on my feet someday The 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, and live the life I should [Instrumental Break] [Refrain] I'll get up and fly away I'll get up and fly away, fly away [Verse 4] "Pearly's been true True to me, true to my dying day," he said I said to him I said to him, "I'm sure she's been" I said to him, "I'm sure she's been true to you" [Instrumental Break] [Verse 5] Got up and wandered I wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just to 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]