Townes Van Zandt - Billy, Boney And Ma lyrics

By townes van zandt Well, billy went down to the battleground To find a little trinket he could call his own Didn't see nothin' lying around He decided he'd dig awhile Well he dug her up and he dug her down 'fore too long he found some bones Poor little billy couldn't make a sound When the bones sat up and smiled Oh billy you seem like a fine young man No reason to be a tremblin' soul Come over here and shake my hand Make my proud acquaintance Well billy he was stunned he could hardly stand Whether he could move he didn't know But he knew he had to formulate some kinda plan Or try the boneman's patience The first thing he wanted to do was breathe So he gulped in some of that battleground air Next thing he wanted to do was leave But billy wasn't raised up rude Well the boneman grunted and he gave a heave All of a sudden he was loomin' there Shakin off dirt and actin pleased Things didn't look too good Well billy decided what the hell You don't meet a boneman every day A little bit skinny but you never can tell He might be a pretty good guy Well they started off with the old soft sell 'fore too long they were jawin' away By the time the darkness fell They were seein' socket to eye They decided right then on a life of crime With the boneman's looks and billy's brains They could scare old scrooge out of his last dime Might as well have a go Billy he would picked the place and time From the corner store to the railroad train Boney'd flash him a smile sublime And billy he'd grab the dough They decided they might as well start right then Time's awastin' so they say They headed for the park Where the lights are dim And only the foolish tread He was whistlin' a tune When they spotted him strollin' along So plump and gay Boney gave him a great big grin And billy snagged his bread Next come a lady of the night Boney saddled up and said hello Gave the poor thing such a terrible fright She fainted dead away Billy lifted her purse and her earrings bright Diamond rings and watch you know Couldn't figure out try as they might Why they'd ever worked a single day Billy's plans ended up in ruin you know They were workin' a quaint little neighborhood Spied an old lady about eighty or so Almost looked too easy Boney put on a pretty good show The little ol' lady didn't see too good My kind sir your all bones you know You need something hot and greasy Grabbed ol' boney drug him inside Billy peeked in through the window sill She fed him boiled and baked and fried Ol' boney he's chewin like crazy He gobbled up everything he tried Pounds added on like you know they will Billy laid down in the dirt and cried Watchin boney gettin fat and lazy Well billy's back workin his job by day Sleep'n nights it ain't so bad Never liked stealin anyway Kinda gives a guy the willies Boney and ma got a new cafe Best baked beans you ever had Ma's expecting any day And they say they're gonna name him billy