The Cabby Song

by Ken Stone

Drove a cab in New York City

When a dark-skinned girl who was rather pretty

Flagged me down one night for my last run

I was glad to have her, after hauling drunk cadavers

I said where to and then she pulled a gun

She said “Head Uptown and I ain’t gonna pay

I might even shoot you on the way

I’m mad at the world so what do you think of me?”

I said “I don’t think nuthin’ this ride’s on me

It’s absolutely, totally, and completely free

To anywhere in town you want to be.”

 

Drove in Chi-Town, sure is my town

An old drunk staggered up into the car

He said “I’m a man of wealth and fame

Do you recognize my name?”

I said “No,” he said “Take me to a bar”

So I dropped him at the nearest tap

I said “The fare’s a dollar and a half”

He fumbled in his pockets for the dough

Then he laid a fifty on the seat

And when I picked my eyes up off of my feet

He said, “Will that be enough?” and I said “I reckon so.”

 

Drove in Madison, Wisconsin

Crystal Corners, Park and Johnson

Whitney Way, the Square, and Circle Close

East Side, West Side, that’s the best side

Who laid out this city, heaven knows

Well I never thought I could get so lost

I can’t even seem to find my post

What’s a rookie cabby s’posed to do?

I always carry my book and my map

There sittin’ right here upon my lap

But I’ve been lost in Monona since 1972.