Project Roots

Project Roots is a partnership of the MHC and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).

Eddie's Choice. Listen to the .mp3 audio clip (8.2 MB)

Lyrics by the Maxey Boys and music by Josh White, Jr. and Mike Ball

Eddie’s gone tonight at midnight, they’re about to push him out the door (2)
He’s got a sweat shirt, shoes, and blue jeans,
A plan and nothing more.

Chorus:
In and out of locked doors, same old song and dance (2)
This time has to be different
Ain’t gonna be another chance.

As he walks to the bus stop he meets a gnarled and dusty man (2)
He’s got nothing on his mind
But sticking to his plan.
He walked his feet to blisters, his legs are aching too. (2)
He swallowed hard and said “Hey, mister,
Can I sit down next to you?”
Old man said, “Sit Down Sonny,
Kick back and rest your feet
You got a little time to listen,
And I been savin’ you a seat.”
Chorus

Eddie shot a glance his way, a question in his eyes. (2)
“I don’t mean no disrespect” he said,
“But I’m just waiting for a ride.”
“Looks to me your ride ain’t here yet,
So just slow down a bit.
Couple of minutes won’t hurt ya none
For some advice you’ll never forget.”
Chorus

“Listen here now Old Man, my ride will be here soon. (2)
But since I got some time to kill now
Just try to tell me something new.”
The old man stares at Eddie
With a gleam in his eye,
“Your road ain’t gonna take you nowhere
And I’m gonna tell you why
You know, that ride that’s comin’ for you
You been in that car before
And you might have won some battles
But you’re bound to lose the war.”
Chorus

“Mister, you don’t know me, I been preached to all my life. (2)
But until you been locked up,
You’ll never know just what it’s like.”
Now that old man said,
“I walked some miles in your shoes
I lived it all the hard way
And now all I know is blues.”
Chorus

“I’ve been through some hard times
Of heartache and war
Known my share of trouble
And I just don’t want no more.”
Chorus

Eddie’s ride pulls up, and he starts to walk away, (2)
But with his hand on that car door
He stops and looks the old man’s way.
Chorus