The Wealthiest of Men

words & music © by Geoff Bartley 1997
Published by Joshua Omar's Music BMI
All Rights Reserved

I'm sitting in this hotel sipping my third beer
I haven't had this much to drink since a bad night early last year
When me and Mary almost split thank God we patched that fight
'Cause I've got something just as bad to talk with her tonight

For thirty years at the job I work you will get your pension pay
And I've got just six months to go starting yesterday
Then this letter on my desk I brought it here to read it slow
"Dear John with deep regrets afraid we have to let you go"

For twenty-nine years and six months I was steady as a rock
Gave everything they asked and more now look at what I've got
I'd sell everything I own to have my thirty years again
If I could sell them greed I'd be the wealthiest of men

Nobody sees a sucker punch ain't that just like life
So I came in here looking for the words to tell my wife
She'll have to go to work until I find another job
And reconcile inside my head the way that we've been robbed

So one last round for courage then it's time to go
As soon as Mary smells the beer and sees my face she'll know
That little bit she's got saved up won't get us very far
Show me who did this to me point out who they are!

For twenty-nine years and six months I was steady as a rock
Gave everything they asked and more now look at what I've got
I'd sell everything I own to have my thirty years again
If I could sell them greed I'd be the wealthiest of men

For twenty-nine years and six months I was steady as a rock
I gave 'em everything they asked and more now look at what I've got
I'd sell everything I own to have my thirty years again
If I could sell them greed I'd be the wealthiest of men
If I could sell them greed I'd be . . .

One Kind Word

track 11

Ben Wittman; drums
Ricardo Monzon; percussion
Mike Rivard; fretted electric bass
Seth Connelly; electric guitar, lap steel
Geoff; vocal, Martin M-36 in standard tuning, no capo in G, and high-string 1971
Martin D-35 in dropped D tuning, capo 5, D shapes