Sticks and stones will break my bones
But I always will be true
And when your mama is dead and gone
I'll sing this lullaby just for you
So what becomes of all the little boys
Who never comb their hair?
They're lined up all around the block
On The Nickel over there

So you better bring a bucket
There is a hole in the pail
If you don't get my letter
Then you'll know that I'm in jail
So what becomes of all the little boys
Who never say their prayers?
They're sleepin' like a baby
On The Nickel over there

If you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star
You'll find out where the scarecrows sit
Just like punchlines between the cars
I know a place where a royal flush
Can never beat a pair
And even Thomas Jefferson
Is On The Nickel over there

So ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain
And you're always late for supper
And man you let me down, let me down again
I thought I heard a mockingbird, Roosevelt knows where
You can skip the light with grady tuck
On the Nickel over there

So what becomes of all the little boys
Who run away from home?
The world just keeps gettin' bigger
Once you get out on your own
So what becomes of all the little boys
The sandman takes you where
You'll be sleepin' with a pillowman
On the Nickel over there

So let's climb up through that button hole
And fall right up the stairs
I'll show you where the short dogs grow
On the Nickel over there


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher, durruti36

On the Nickel Lyrics as written by Tom Waits

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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On the Nickel song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    @Mudflap I spent my highschool years as a Christian missionary in some of the poorest places in the world. Kids huffing glue from bottles hidden in the sleeves of oversized shirts were a tragic commonality. I listen to this song and can't help but weep for all the little boys who I saw destroying their brains to stop hunger pangs. I'm not so religious anymore but I still try to care, and as a grown-up I'll always encourage other privileged people like me to consider fostering children. Even if you can only afford to make a difference for one kid, that difference means the whole world to them.

    bradley101on May 19, 2020   Link

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