What would Willie do? - Bruce Robison
E I was lost in trouble and strife
A I heard a voice and it changed my life
E Now it's a brand new day
Bm7 and I ain't ashamed to say
E You're not alone when you're down and out
A I think you know who I'm talkin' about
E When I don't know how I'll get through
Bm7 A Bm7 E
I ask myself, "What would Willie do?"
E What would Willie do, when it's all gone wrong
A The answer's in the words of a sad country song
E When you don't know how to get through,
Bm7 A Bm7 E
You better ask yourself, "What would Willie do?"
E Long ago, you came unto us,
A his words were simple but they went right through us
E and the whole world sang along
Bm7 but then they didn't want to hear his songs
E he was gone and we thought we'd lost him
A but he just grew his hair and he moved to Austin
E and all of the people smiled
Bm7 they came to hear him sing from miles
E and like a miracle all the rednecks and hippies
A from New York City down to Mississippi
E stood together and raised a brew
Bm7 A Bm7 E
when your skys are gray, "What would Willie do?"
E You know sometimes I wonder when I ain't gettin' nowhere
A what would old Willie do when things get too much to bear
E and I see him sittin' on his lonely old bus
Bm7 and he's got his problems just like any of us
E and I bet he'd just take a deep breath and he'd let 'em all go
A and then he'd take another deep breath and he'd let 'em all go
E and then he'd take another deep breath
Bm7 and he'd hold it...
E and then I bet he'd feel hungry in a way that seems strange
A yes hungry for all the things he just can't change
E like the time he passed out in his own bedroom
Bm7 and his ex-wife sewed him up in the sheet and she beat him with a broom
E and he forgave her and you think that that's rough,
A then the IRS came and they took away all his stuff
E they took his golf course and his recording studio
Bm7 and he just went on out and did another show
E So when it's all comin' down on you
Bm7 A Bm7 E
You better ask yourself, "What would Willie do?"
E What would Willie do, he travels far with nothin'
A but a song and an old guitar
E and a tour bus and some semi trucks
Bm7 and 30 crewmen and a little bit of luck
E He loves all the people, the ugly and the randy
A if you don't believe it take a look at the family
E and they'll tell you that it's true
Bm7 A Bm7 E
so when your skys are gray, "What would Willie do?"
F What would Willie do, he'd take a little time
B and talk to old Rooster as they drive on down the line
F there's millions down that road
Cm7 and with a word he's gonna lighten their load
F he loves all the people no matter their races
B Hell, he even made a hit country song with Julio Eglacias
F and that ain't easy to do
Cm7 B Cm7 F
so when it's all too much, "What would Willie
B C B Cm7
when the game get's rough, "What would Willie
B C B Cm7 F
when they call your bluff, "What would Willie do?"