The Story Of An Artist - Daniel Johnston

Listen up and I’ll tell a story

About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory

Others aren’t so bold

Everyone, and friends and family

Saying, «Hey!

Get a job!»

«Why do you only do that only?

Why are you so odd?

We don’t really like what you do

We don’t think anyone ever will

It’s a problem that you have

And this problem’s made you ill.»

Listen up and I’ll tell a story

About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory

Others aren’t so bold

The artist walks alone

Someone says behind his back

«He's got his gall to call himself that!

He doesn’t even know where he’s at!»

The artist walks among the flowers

Appreciating the sun

He does this all his waking hours

But is it really so wrong?

They sit in front of their TVs

Saying, «Hey!

This is fun!»

And they laugh at the artist

Saying, «He doesn’t know how to have fun.»

The best things in life are truly free

Singing birds and laughing bees

«You've got me wrong», says he

«The sun don’t shine in your TV»

Listen up and I’ll tell a story

About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory

Others aren’t so bold

Everyone, and friends and family

Saying, «Hey!

Get a job!»

«Why do you only do that only?

Why are you so odd?

We don’t really like what you do

We don’t think anyone ever will

It’s a problem that you have

And this problem’s made you ill.»

Listen up and I’ll tell a story

About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory

Others just like to watch the world