To The Artist     Jerry Jeff Walker

(F#m)
This (hold)song is a letter sung to a (Dj7)(hold)special friend of mine,
(A)(hold) One who stopped his singing somewhere (E)(hold)back along the line.(E)

(F#m) Wondered if he'd had enough of the (Dj7)rip-offs and the jive,
(A) Did he sing his song one night and (E)lose the will to write?

(F#m) Never been a business deal, this (Dj7)thing with his guitar,
(A) It always seemed more like a dance he did (E)deep down inside the heart.

(D) Tonight I wonder if it's true, like we (A)felt it at the start,
An (E)artist truly (F°)does it best when he (F#m)does it from the heart.

(D) It seems to be much more than an art when the (A)art you sell is you,
Be (E)careful how you (F°)play the game, or (F#m)else the game plays you.

In the old days we'd stay up all night, (Dj7) laughing till we cried,
(A) We said songs don't belong to us, we just (E)bring some thoughts to light.

(F#m) The rule of thumb was never give (Dj7) the truth away to rhyme,
(A) A man can't lie when he tries to sing, it be(E)trays him every time.

(F#m) We really write to understand (Dj7)more about ourselves,
(E) If we're lucky, maybe then we'll (E)touch someone else.
(D)        (A)        (E)    (F°)    (F#m)        (D)        (A)        (E)    (F°)    (F#m)                

I just got back from Europe, friend, where they (Dj7)hung on every word,
(A) Made me feel a little better about my (E)chosen line of work.

(F#m) They asked me if I knew you (Dj7) wrote a lot these days,
(A) I told 'em all I know is that you (E)rarely ever play.

(F#m) We start out singing what we like, (Dj7)we give it all away,
(A) Wind up hating what we play and go (E)begging to be paid.

(D) Let me say in closing, friend, (A) I want you to know,
I (E)understand how (F°)hard it was to (F#m)let your music go.

(D) An artist must decide which parts to (A)leave in and take out,
And (E)if he no longer (F°)plays the game, that's (F#m)what the game's about.

© Jerry Jeff Walker, All Rights Reserved

janhauenstein at gmx.de

www.janhuenstein.com

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