About five years ago I didn't have a cent
So looking for a job to the music man I went
The manager he said, "This band is got to roll
So climb aboard with me and hand over your soul"
And so it's pick and pickin' hard
As long as you can't stand pickin' all the day
Workin' for the music man
The band began to roll and I lit up a smoke
I was thinkin' to myself that this job was just a joke
But then I heard a yell, "Put on your boots, my son
Get off that dirty flood and make that guitar hum"
And so it's pick and pickin' hard
As long as you can't stand pickin' all the day
Workin' for the music man
So everywhere we went and tired as I could be
I soon made up my mind that this life was not for me
But then I heard a shout, "You're hired for the run
So get back up in here or make that guitar hum"
And so it's pick and pickin' hard
As long as you can't stand pickin' all the day
Workin' for the music man
Now listen to my song, you men who played for fun
Keep clear a music man, they'll take you for a run
The pickin' life is tough, you better stop it quick
It'll leave you where you started, you're better off to quit
Or else it's pick and pickin' hard
As long as you can't stand pickin' all the day
Workin' for the music man
And I still don't even have a cent..