Well my mama didn't want me
On the day I was born
I was born without a body
I got nothing but scorn
But I always loved music
All I had was my hands
I dreamed I'd be famous
And I'd work at The Sands

Singing, Tabletop Joe, Tabletop Joe
Now everyone will know
That I'm Tabletop Joe

I had trouble with the pedals
But I had a strong left hand
And I could play Stravinsky
On a baby grand
I said, â??I'm gonna join the circus
Cause that's where I belong'
So I went to Coney Island
I was singing this song

Tabletop Joe, Tabletop Joe
Now everyone knows
Yeah I'm Tabletop Joe

They gave me top billing
In the Dreamland show
I had my own orchestra
Starring Tabletop Joe
And the man without a body
Proved everyone wrong
I was rich and I was famous
I was where I belonged, yeah

Tabletop Joe, Tabletop Joe
Now everyone knows, yeah
Tabletop Joe

Take it home boy


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Table Top Joe Lyrics as written by Thomas Alan Waits Kathleen Brennan

Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Table Top Joe song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    The song is about Johnny Eck "The Amazing Half Boy." He was Born without the lower half of his body and was sideshow preformer in the early 20th century. Outside the circus relm he was a very gifted atrist, talented musician and orchestra conducter. And an amazing person.

    SassCastleInTheSnowon September 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the demo version is pretty creepy... like he's hitting bones

    MardyAsson November 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    About a man who is just hands and a head who is a piano player??

    ikefoxon November 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    you know what, the lyrics are "I" instead of "he" i'll think about the meaning for this later ahah. this is a pretty cool song though.

    SKULLZORon January 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow, I had no idea this was based on a true story. I think Johnny Eck may have been one of the freaks in "Freaks". Tom Waits never ceases to fascinate. Having only heard this recently for the first time it has quickly become one of my TW favourites.

    Irishmonkon August 27, 2009   Link

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