Always The Busker
Jon English Lyrics

One for the money and two for the show
The first and second act is your warm-up, after which the show must go on

Three for the busker who plays by the road
The busker who relies on day to day pay to keep playing their music

They say life's a bitch, and then you die
People say life is hard, but it comes to an inevitable end

And if wishes were fishes then all pigs would fly
Wishes are unlikely to become a reality

But there's always a busker, so hey busker I...
Despite life's difficulties, there will always be a busker around to uplift people's mood with their music

Well I once did a solo for Elton John
A moment of success in the singer's career where they performed in front of Elton John

He was stopped on my corner so I played him a song
Elton John, at the time, was on the same street corner as the singer, and that's when they performed the solo for him

And for seven whole seconds he looked in my eye
Elton John listened to the artist's performance intently, giving the artist a moment of eye contact

Then the lights turned to green and he left with a smile
Elton John left the corner after enjoying the artist's performance, making the artist proud

And we both thought but there, but for God's grace go I...
Both the artist and Elton John realized the importance of being humble and grateful for opportunities that helped them succeed

I once shared a band with a girl named Lee
The singer had a romantic and musical partnership with a girl named Lee

We were singers and lovers in close harmony
The artist and Lee created music together and had a romantic relationship where they were harmonious with each other

Ah, but this thing called fame creeps up so secretly
The singer was surprised by how quickly fame came to them and how much it changed their life

And one day when I got home early for tea
The singer arrived home early one day,

There was no video and no colour TV
The singer lost fame, money and possessions that they accumulated while they were successful

And a big empty bed where my Lee used to be
The artist's romantic partner, Lee, left them and their bed is now empty

Ah, but thousands of people march to my songs
The artist's music inspired numerous people to connect with their music and appreciate it

Some just ignore me and shuffle alo-ong
Some people do not appreciate or acknowledge the singer's music

Some others tip me, hah, and sometimes they sing right along...
Some people acknowledge the quality of the singer's music by tipping them, and even sing along with them as they perform

Well, I ain't got no boss and I ain't got no plans
The artist is a free soul who does not have a defined boss or plan in their life

Except what I play, hah, and perhaps where I stand
The artist only has control over their music and where they choose to perform

And if you listen real close I can sound like a whole - damn - band
The artist's musical talent makes them sound like an entire band, even when they are performing solo

Well, the bright side is I can still work anywhere
Despite all of their struggles, the singer finds comfort in the ability to work and perform their music anywhere they want

'Cause Springstein and I have the same crowds each day
Springsteen and the artist have similar crowds that listen to their music regularly

Guess the only real difference is how much they pay...
The listeners' only attribute that brings a difference between the singer and Springsteen is the amount they pay

It's one for the money, two for the show
The lyrics are a segue between the verses and chorus of the song

They say life's a bitch, and then you die
An expression about how unpredictable life is and how it can lead to death

And if wishes were fishes then all pigs would fly
Wishing for a particular outcome does not ensure it will happen

But there's always the busker, so hey busker I...
The central theme of this song is an ode to the busker who can always be relied upon to uplift people's mood with their music.