The Walkabouts

That Black Guitar

The Walkabouts


I was little Vlado then 
When the gypsies came a wandering, to our town 
They'd come by the house, and they'd start to play. 
And father would go, to his room, and pickup his guitar 
Which he'd bought long ago 
With his paltry pay

Mister, do you still have that guitar
Mister, do you still have that black guitar
That one was the best one by far

And they kept on asking 
Along after that
Whenever they'd shill, for a spare coin or two 
Always when they played, at the village saloon 
And they'd take their breaks, to drink at the bar 
Whenever their wives
Stood by the door 
And asked for old clothes 
Their wives would implore

Mister, do you still have that guitar
Mister, do you still have that black guitar
That one was the best one by far

Now when I come home
I sit beneath the chestnuts 
And I drink 
I drink with my friends 
Who still call this home
And nearly every night 
To the table they come 
And play for us 
With childish faces 
And tremelous voices
They ask

Mister, do you still have that guitar
Mister, do you still have that black guitar
That one was the best one by far
That one was the best one by far
That one was the best one by far