Billy Dee

(album: The Silver Tongued Devil And I - 1971)

Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty-one
Fooling with some foolish things he could've left alone
But he had to try to satisfy a thirst he couldn't name
Driven toward the darkness by the devils in his veins

All around the honky-tonks, searching for a sign
Getting by on getting high on women, words and wine
Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and others called him free
But we just called us lucky for the love of Billy Dee

Busy going his own way and speaking his own words
Facing and forgetting every warning that he heard
Making friends and taking any crazy chance he could
Getting busted for the bad times and believing in the good

Billy took a beating from a world he meant no harm
The score was written in the scars upon his arm
Some felt he was paying for the life he tried to lead
But all we felt was sorry for our good friend Billy Dee

It may be his soul was bigger than a body's ought to be
Singing songs and bringing laughter to the likes of you and me
'Cause the world he saw was sadder than the one he hoped to find
But it wasn't near as lonesome as the one he left behind

Yesterday they found him on the floor of his hotel
Reaching toward the needle, Lord, that drove him down to hell
Some folks called it suicide, others blame the speed
But we just called it crucified when Billy Dee O.D.'d