"The Black Dog And The Wandering Boy" lyrics - JAMES MCMURTRY

The black dog and the wanderin' boy
Come around every night
The wanderin' boy never gets any older
The black dog doesn't bite
He just sits on the floor at the corner of the bed
Watchin' for the things that haunt
They oughta both go away when I take my meds
But they don't

[Chorus:]
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me

The sun's comin' up, and it's seven in the mornin'
Another drink wouldn't hurt
Sittin' outside on Mama's front porch
Watchin' the squares go to work
Then another one's on and another one's on
And another one rides the bus
Jammin' that bad ol' Weird Al song
And they ain't got time for us

[Chorus:]
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me

[Refrain 1:]
There's somethin' hidin'
In that space beneath the stairs
I say I'm frightened
But these old folks just don't care

Dinner time and I'm lookin' in the mirror
Sure enough gettin' old
Mom's down there, yellin' up the stairs
Come on now, your food's gettin' cold
I'll come down when I'm damn good and ready
Won't you just let me be?
Leanin' on the sink and I can't get steady
You're starin' right back at me

[Refrain 2:]
I see my father with his patience wearin' thin
Sometimes it bothers me, you look so much like him
There's somethin' hidin' in that space beneath the stairs
I try to find it, but my memory won't go there

[Chorus:]
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me

The black dog and the wanderin' boy
Don't ever do any harm
They make no messes and they make no noise
They're no 'cause for alarm
Kinda got used to 'em bein' 'round the place
I don't care what Mama don't allow
I'm gonna miss 'em if they ever go away
They're such a part of me now

[Outro:]
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me
Hey, somebody lied to me