Hank Snow - First Nighters lyrics

(Jack Rollins - Hank Snow)

We sat a table in Lindy's and I ordered up dinners for two

My guest was a grimy intruder who had ask me to buy him a stew

But some how I pitied the beggar so shabbly dressed and so old

And I ask him the cause of his trouble and this is the story he told.

I know what it means to be happy I once had a wife and some dough

We did a trapeze act together and we circled the globe with a show

But long years of dangerous acting had tired us of roaming around

And this was to be our last season we'd pack in and stay on the ground.

We'd pick out a home in the country and one or two kids would be swell

She lived for no one but her Larry and I lived for no one but Nell

We counted the days till the blow off and the final act now was at hand

We sat in our dressing room waiting and we listened they struck up the band.

We looked at each other in silence the last time for us to go on

We trotted out under the big top and she carried herself like a swan

I thought as she swung into action so graceful and spry as an elf

If God made a soul any sweeter he kept her up there for himself.

Now thousands of people applauded the regular routine was through

The singles and doubles were perfect now we just had the climax to do

I still can't account for the crackup but God I can picture it yet

She made a bum leave on the triple and I missed her and she missed the net.

With Nell gone and nothin' to live for I let myself go to the bad

I've haggled in barrooms and hey joints and they took me for all that I had

At night I lay drunk in some hallway and dream about high bars and Nell

I see her white form coming at me I miss her and let out a yell.

With that the poor devil quit talking he shuddered and lowered his head

I shook him but he didn't answer I summon for help he was dead

I looked at my watch I must hurry I'd almost forgotten my date

Right now I was due at the playhouse and opening night at eight.

Right now I was due at the playhouse and opening night there at eight

So I paid for his meal and departed I smiled for I knew very well

While I was first nighting on Broadway he too was first nighting with Nell...