It was sunny in the morning
That’s how it all began
I was hoping to go busking
That had always been the plan
So I set off for town
Now listen close to what ensued
This here’s just the story of how I got those public nuisance blues
I had hardly started strumming
Nah I’d barely sung a word
When along came confrontation
Not enjoying what he heard
He told me I was over
How I had no right to play
If you ain’t got a license boy you’d better be going on your way
Now he wasn’t a policeman or a lawyer or a judge
Just another little Hitler with a temper and a grudge
He wore a walkie-talkie
Part of mall security
But that was half way up the street
So what the hell had that to do with me?
I never thought I’d ever be accused
But no what I tried to say or do
I was a public nuisance
I got those public nuisance blues
I was a public nuisance
I got those public nuisance blues
So I went to the town hall to validate the news
Do I really need a permit just to sing the blues?
I asked in each department
I even asked the Mayor
Who responded “To be honest you’re free to play the guitar anywhere”
But she wouldn’t let me quote her cause it was only a hunch
So she said to leave it with her and she’d call me after lunch
But as the afternoon past by I didn’t hold out much hope
Am I already too late? Am I already on that slippery slope?
Well I ain’t no shoplifter
My arms aren’t strong enough
I don’t vandalize or loiter
Harass hustle or bluff
All I do is sing for loose change from people passing by
I know the world’s gone crazy lately but how is that a crime?
I never thought I’d ever be accused
But no matter what I tried to say or do
I was a public nuisance
I got those public nuisance blues
The next time I see that guy I’ll speak the truth
He’s got it back to front and misconstrued
It’s him! He’s a public nuisance
He’s got those public nuisance blues