This is not a true story, but it could be. CEOs, company presidents, bean counters who make corporate decisions often forget that these decisions often have very real, very human consequences. This song tells the tale of some of these forgotten consequences.
When his boss came knocking for the company meeting
Jimmy knew right away what would come.
Fourteen years of his life spent working,
In just one day it was done.
His boss said, "Sorry, but times are getting hard,
We barely make enough to get by."
As he drove away in his Mercedes Benz,
He waved Jimmy goodbye.
Yeah, he waved Jimmy goodbye.
When his wife heard the news she'd about had enough.
"This time I'm leaving you for real," she cried,
"I love you Jimmy but that's not enough.
I need what a real man can provide."
So she packed her bags, took the kinds by the hands,
Said, "Come on to your grandma's place."
Little Jack cried, little Suzy tried to hide,
As Jimmy stood and studied her face.
Then the last paycheck was less than he thought:
He forgot to account for the tax.
It was barely enough for the gun that he bought,
But Jimmy had a plan for that.
Yeah Jimmy had a plan for that.
He went to the bank, said "Give me all your money
Or I'll blow you straight to Hell."
So the clerk filled the bag said, "Please don't hurt me."
And Jimmy smiled, "I'm finally doing well."
But Jimmy was no crook, and he didn't think to look
To see what was in the bag.
When he finally got back, finally opened up the sack,
He found a bunch of paper scaps.
Well live and learn, and try and try again
So he found a convenience store.
Said, "Hey mister, open up the register
Or you'll find what this gun is for."
But the guy behind the counter at the Super Food Center
Knew how to deal with crime.
Said, "Don't you pull that trigger, 'cause my gun's bigger,
You ain't gonna steal one dime.
No you ain't gonna steal one dime."
So he stood on the corner as the cold maked him shiver
And he asked for a little spare change.
I passed by, tried not to meet his eye,
As I worried about my day.
I didn't know his story, how he fell from Glory,
Or even really that he exists.
He's just another one of us whose best wasn't good enough,
I walked right by where he sits.
Then one night in December he had a little too much liquor
And he fell asleep outside.
6 AM the next morning, a couple went walking
They discovered that Jimmy had died.
They discovered that Jimmy had died.
So next time you're passing that Park Street station
Take a look out the corner of your eye
And whatever you do, thank God it's him not you
Before we wave poor Jimmy goodbye
We wave Jimmy goodbye.
Copyright 2006 Eddy Boston.