I had an Uncle Charley, back in my hometown
Said, "Don't take no mouse to be your friend
'Cause they'll wait 'til you're asleep
And steal your money and your food
And rat you out when the police come around
Later on I started traveling, seeing something of this world
And I learned to know a thing or two
Just because you beentold a story back in your hometown
Don't have to mean that story's always true
I remember it was winter and things were going bad
It rained and it snowed all day long
Nobody would feed me and I couldn't find no job
In a factory or working on a farm
I was laying in my suitcase and the snow was falling down
I didn't know what I was gonna do
When I heard a tiny voice out there in the dark
Saying, "Brother can I come in there with you?"
"Right here in my bag I got some real good cheese
And a crust of bread or two
If you let me come in there and get out of the snow
I'll share what I got with you."
Don't take no mice to be your friend
Was the rule Uncle Charley always told
But the north wind kept howling and the snow kept blowing down
And I couldn't leave him out there in the cold
He said his name was Lefty and he'd been out traveling round
The secrets of this world he'd share with you
Mouse traps are set left-handed get your cheese out from the left
We are many, Buddy, they are few
He said, "They'll tell you lies to make you doubt your fellow man,
Like cats and mice just can't get along
It suits the bosses Buddy, and it suits them fine
'Cause it keeps us working folks from being strong."
"There's a better world a-coming, Buddy, which side are you on?
Don't let the big men take it, Buddy, which side are you on?
It's your country too, Buddy, which side are you on?
It's time to take a stand, Buddy, which side are you on?
Boy it's a fact mice ain't no good-
Old Charley always said they'll treat you bad,
But I'm here to tell you people and I want it understood
Lefty is the truest friend I ever had.
Said, "Don't take no mouse to be your friend
'Cause they'll wait 'til you're asleep
And steal your money and your food
And rat you out when the police come around
Later on I started traveling, seeing something of this world
And I learned to know a thing or two
Just because you beentold a story back in your hometown
Don't have to mean that story's always true
I remember it was winter and things were going bad
It rained and it snowed all day long
Nobody would feed me and I couldn't find no job
In a factory or working on a farm
I was laying in my suitcase and the snow was falling down
I didn't know what I was gonna do
When I heard a tiny voice out there in the dark
Saying, "Brother can I come in there with you?"
"Right here in my bag I got some real good cheese
And a crust of bread or two
If you let me come in there and get out of the snow
I'll share what I got with you."
Don't take no mice to be your friend
Was the rule Uncle Charley always told
But the north wind kept howling and the snow kept blowing down
And I couldn't leave him out there in the cold
He said his name was Lefty and he'd been out traveling round
The secrets of this world he'd share with you
Mouse traps are set left-handed get your cheese out from the left
We are many, Buddy, they are few
He said, "They'll tell you lies to make you doubt your fellow man,
Like cats and mice just can't get along
It suits the bosses Buddy, and it suits them fine
'Cause it keeps us working folks from being strong."
"There's a better world a-coming, Buddy, which side are you on?
Don't let the big men take it, Buddy, which side are you on?
It's your country too, Buddy, which side are you on?
It's time to take a stand, Buddy, which side are you on?
Boy it's a fact mice ain't no good-
Old Charley always said they'll treat you bad,
But I'm here to tell you people and I want it understood
Lefty is the truest friend I ever had.