The Black Dog and The Wandering Boy | James McMurtry

🎵 The Black Dog and The Wandering Boy | James McMurtry 🎵 - Length: 0:3:40

The Black Dog and The Wandering Boy - Written by James McMurtry Recorded Live July 24, 2025 Live from Norfolk Street is an on-going concert series recorded live at McGonigel's Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas. Our live-streamed concert series is listener supported. For access to our catalog of full length shows, extras, encores, and interviews, become a contributing member at: https://livefromnorfolkstreet.com/ Lyrics: The black and the wandering boy Come around every night The wandering boy never gets any older The black dog doesn't bite He just sits on the floor at the corner of the bed Watching for the things that hunt They oughta both go away when I take my meds But they don't Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me The sun's coming up, and it's seven in the morning Another drink wouldn't hurt Sitting outside on Mama's front porch Watching the squares go to work Then another one's on and another one's on And another one rides the bus Jammin' that old Weird Al song And they ain't got time for us Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me There's somebody hiding In that space beneath the stairs I say I'm writing But these old folks just don't care Dinner time and I'm looking in the mirror I'm sure enough getting old Mom's down there, yelling up the stairs Come on now, your food's getting cold I'll come down when I'm damn good and ready Won't you just let me be? Leaning on the sink and I can't get steady You're staring right back at me I see my father with his patience wearing thin Sometimes it bothers me, you look so much like him There's something hiding in that space beneath the stairs I try to find it, but my memory won't go there Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me The black and the wandering boy Don't ever do any harm They make no messes and they make no noise They're no cause for alarm Kinda got used to 'em being round the place I don't care what Mama don't allow I'm gonna miss 'em if they ever go away They're such a part of me now Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me Hey, somebody lie to me