Old Beale Street is coming down
Sweeties' Snack Bar, boarded up now
And Eagles The Tailor and the Shine Boy's gone
Faded out with ragtime bluesHandy's cast in bronze and he's standing in a little park
With his trumpet in his hand
Like he's listening back to the good old bands
And the click of high heeled shoesOld Furry sings the bluesPropped up in his bed
With his dentures and his leg removed
And Ginny's there for her kindness and Furry's beer
She's the old man's angel overseerPawn shops glitter like gold tooth caps
In the grey decay
They chew the last few dollars off
Old Beale Street's carcassCarrion and mercy, blue and silver sparkling drums
Cheap guitars, eye shades and guns
Aimed at the hot blood of being no one
Down and out in Memphis TennesseeOld Furry sings the bluesBring him smoke and drink and he'll play for you
lt's mostly muttering now and sideshow spiel
But there was one song he played
I could really feelThere's a double bill murder at the New Daisy
The old girl's silent across the street
She's silent, waiting for the wrecker's beat
Silent, staring at her stolen nameDiamond boys and satin dolls
Bourbon laughter, ghosts, history falls
To parking lots and shopping malls
As they tear down old Beale StreetOld Furry sings the bluesHe points a bony finger at you and says, "I don't like you"
Everybody laughs as if it's the old man's standard joke
But it's true
We're only welcome for our drink and smokeW.C. Handy, I'm rich and I'm fay
And I'm not familiar with what you played
But I get such strong impressions of your hey day
Looking up and down old Beale StreetGhosts of the darktown society
Come right out of the bricks at me
Like it's a Saturday night, they're in their finery
Dancing it up and making dealsFurry sings the bluesWhy should I expect that old guy to give it to me true
Fallen to hard luck
And time and other thieves
While our limo is shining on his shanty streetOld Furry sings the blues