By: jimmy buffett
1974
The ice cream man he's a hillbilly fan
Got seventy-eights by hank snow
Walks down the street, shufflin' his feet
To a rhythm that only he knows
And i've seen him in so many places
I saw him the night i was born
In a bourbon street bar, i received my first scar
From an old man so tattered and torn
Chorus:
And the wino and i know the pain of street singin'
Like a door-to-door salesman knows the pains of bell ringin'
Strange situation, wild occupation
Livin' my life like a song
Coffee is strong at the cafe du monde
Donuts are too hot to touch
Just like a fool, when those sweet goodies cool
I eat 'til i eat way too much
'cause i'm livin' on things that excite me
Be they pastry or lobster or love
I'm just tryin' to get by bein' quiet and shy
In a world full of pushin' and shove
Chorus:
And the wino and i know the pain of back bustin'
Like the farmer knows the pain of his pickup truck rustin'
Strange situation, wild occupation
Livin' my life like a song
Sweet senorita won't you please come with me
Back to the island honey, back to the sea
Back to the only place that i want to be
Chorus:
And the wino and i know the joy of the ocean
Like a boy knows the joy of his milkshake in motion
Strange situation, wild occupation
Livin' my life like a song
Yes it's a strange situation, a wild occupation
Livin' my life like a song