(Christine Lavin)
Chorus:
You're a rambler, you're a singer of songs
And the songs and the friends and the years roll along
You've got to keep moving, keep travelling on
The road's calling you and tomorrow, you're gone
Up there on the stage you're alone in the lights
Trying to charm them all night after night
They clap their hands for you, they all wish you well
They go home to their families, you go to hotels
Where there's cranky bartenders and old chambermaids
And young waitresses who might like to get laid
Some treat you badly and some with respect
The faces stay with you, the names you forget
Some call you a rambler, some call you a rogue
Some say you're a gambler, some say you're a joke
If I knew you better I might not agree
But all I know of you is what I can see
With your banjo and songs and the light in your eyes
You come on so strong, you appear to be wise
But when it's all over there's nothing to do
But sit in the bar, and you drink quite a few
And you want to believe when they say you're the best
You're scared they just say that because you're the guest
You need what you're getting up there on the stage
So you smile and you lie when they ask you your age
It's nothing you've said, I just think I can tell
You're a travelling salesman, it's songs that you sell
You're trapped in the car and the club and hotel
You're trapped in the music that you love so well
(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)