If I Hock My Guitar - Delbert McClinton, Self-Made Men

I came up from Mississippi

With a guitar full of songs

Thought I was really something

Maybe I was wrong

Got to make some money

Got to pay my dues

'Cause if I hock my guitar

How the hell am I supposed to play the blues?

Filled out an application

For sweeping up the streets

They said I didn’t qualify

I couldn’t disagree

I got to find something

Something I can use

If I hock my guitar

Aw, hell, man

I can do without the honey or the sugar for my tea

These days I can do without a lot of things

My shark-skin suit and my Stacy Adams shoes

All I really want to do is play my blues

Had my last can of tuna

With some cold green beans

Not all that appetizing

But a man’s got to eat

Up against the wall

Nothing left to lose

If I hock my guitar

How the hell am I supposed play the blues?