The Amnesia Man

The Amnesia Man
by Tom Flannery copyright 2008

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He went searching for the blues
on the side streets of town
learned to get back up
after being knocked down
he'd blow into his harp
tried to moan it all away
sit back and observe
where the children come to play

he's the amnesia man
wiping the slate clean
the most childlike man
that you've ever seen
he's got magic in his fingers
and answers on his tongue
forgiving and forgettin'
watch out here he comes
the amnesia man

With a guitar on his back
1000 songs through his head
he'd read the morning paper
and then use it for a bed
how many buses and trains
how many nights in the rain
did he go to bed here
and wake up there again

he's the amnesia man
wiping the slate clean
the most childlike man
that you've ever seen
he's got magic in his fingers
and answers on his tongue
forgiving and forgettin'
watch out here he comes
the amnesia man

No one ever going his way
so he heads there himself
to get past all the roadblocks
he takes on the form of someone else

All that's left is what he works with
all that's past is what's gone
but when he scrapes for a motel
he always keeps the curtains drawn
don't want no one seeing
how he gets into his head
past the blood of others
and a touch of daily bread

He's got no children
or wife to tie him down
no minted baby shoes
or mothballed wedding gown
all alone and he tells himself
that he likes it that way
never has to carry
what he'd rather stow away

he's the amnesia man
always traveling light
quick with a joke
and a slow burn to fight
dining with the kings
supping with the bums
forgiving and forgettin'
watch out here he comes
the amnesia man
dining with the kings
supping with the bums
forgiving and forgettin'
watch out here he comes
the amnesia man