SHOE LEATHER BLUES

Words and music by Mick Leonard

Sam Says: When it became time to write or select a blues tune for the album, my friend and Co-Producer Mick Leonard presented me with SHOE LEATHER BLUES. He didn't even get half way through the first performance before I had made up my mind that I wanted to record it. To this day I still feel that this song is perfect for me.

Bought me a brand-new Chevrolet--just ninety-nine dollars down

I traded in my old pickup truck and drove all over town

I went down to the liquor store--I wanted to celebrate

But that's when I got strangled by those cruel hands of fate

My baby had cleaned me out and then she headed for the hills

Good Lord I thought I'd paid my dues

But bad whiskey and women done give me those shoe leather blues

Spent the night in the calaboose for drinkin' rot-gut rye

I was walkin' under the influence--that's W - U - I

I tried to hoof it into work but I did not arrive on time

The boss man said, "you're fired, son", but O Lord what was my crime

Now I'm livin' out on the street 'cause I can't make my bills

Man you know I thought I'd paid my dues

But bad whiskey and women done give me those shoe leather blues

Now I gotta keep on keepin' on until the hard times pass

I gotta look the devil in the eye and tell him you can kiss my ass

I thought that I'd been down before but this is something all too new

Lord knows I thought I'd paid my dues

But bad whiskey and women done give me those shoe leather blues

The shoe leather express has just walked into the station, baby

And I feel like I'm gettin' a blister

I've got to find something comfortable to put on these feet

Something that's gonna get some mileage too

Maybe a pair of those juarache sandals--they have tire treads, right?

Works for me!