Oh in my youth, I usedta tramp
the coast of California,
and mighty fun it was to camp–
though bitter cold I’ll warnya…
So thus I sought a room to let,
just somethin’ warm and cozy,
and otherwise would not have met
the lovely lady Rosie.
She ran a humble boarding house
the western side the City;
she’d not a fam’ly nor a spouse
but loved a cat named ‘Kitty.’
Her smile’d flash a blinding blur;
her eyes were grey and steeley;
her curves were round as peaches; her
demeanor touchy-feely.
Now quick the weeks they came and went
and always short on money…
so, Rosie said, “In lie of rent
Ya work fer me now Honey…”
Well, first I hosed her gutters out,
I did it fast and steady,
then next, she had me lay some grout
and boy, my brow was sweaty.
I cleaned her carpet — made it gleam —
the whole time I was humming.
I poured her puss a splash of cream,
she found that quite… becoming.
But then she sent me on my way
abruptly so and shocking;
I packed my bag in time to say
‘goodbye’ and started walking.
These days, my youth is gone and dead
and money ain’t no issue,
yet still, I lay awake in bed
and weep… into a tissue…
and reminisce when to my name
I never had a penny,
and wonder if she does the same
but tenants had she many…
