From the recording The Dealer
Lyrics
For a Nickel or a Dime
My brother cried when I left home
He also cried when our daddy died
But me, I just got sick inside
Closed my heart and tried to hide…
Away a man grows from a child
Away like whitecaps o’er the sea
Now I can cry most anytime
I can cry for a nickel, I can cry for a dime
My love laughed when the sun went down
She ran ‘n danced in her brightest gown
I wouldn’t smile like a painted clown
I could only laugh if I wore a crown…
But I have built a fire on yonder hill
Yes, I have touched the night above the wind
Now I can laugh most anytime
I can laugh for a nickel, I can laugh for a dime
I went to the circus with a cold lone heart
Guarded my eyes and I walked apart
Clubs and Spades were my favorite cards
My only love was a tattooed arm…
But old stones are buried in these walls
The ones I’ve known I carry in my heart
Now I can love most anytime
I can love for a nickel, I can love for a dime
You know the earth’s not ours to give
All we own are the days we live
Tomorrow comes only if
On this grain of time that simply is…
But I can gaze up to the stars
Yes, I can give my breath to a song
I can sing most any time
I can sing for a nickel, I can sing for a dime