Song Description

A tribute to some of the homeless people in Harvard Square that sell Spare Change newspaper

Lyrics

SPARE CHANGE words and music by Lenny Solomon
Key G © L. Solomon 2005

Here's the story of a man, just like you or me
Who's living on the streets now, looking for dignity
That wasn't how he started, he once had a scheme
To take himself up to the top, of the American dream
Spare Change; I need a little break
Spare Change; these times are tough to take
Spare Change; where you'll read the news
About the man with the homeless blues

Used to be a family man, took the train to work
Putting in the hours, winning every perk
Until the day they called him in, for his final prize
A sympathetic handshake, goodbye, you've been downsized
Spare Change; I need a little break
Spare Change; these times are tough to take
Spare Change; where you'll read the news
About the man with the homeless blues

Billy's not a bitter man, his smile comes easily
Although his job and family, are a distant memory
He tells a passing stranger, "What I say is true"
You never know the cards you're dealt, next year this could be you
Spare Change; I need a little break
Spare Change; these times are tough to take
Spare Change; where you'll read the news
About the man with the homeless blues

So Billy works the corner every single day
Hoping to sell papers, so he could find a way
To buy a little coffee, maybe a little luck
Before he settles in the bed of a rusty pickup truck

Spare Change; I need a little break
Spare Change; these times are tough to take
Spare Change; where you'll read the news
About the man with the homeless blues