Lyrics

Poor Man in Neosho – Sean Michael Sullivan ©

A man asked me for two fifty for a sandwich he was short
Gave him three, he turned away from me, and gave that speech to her
Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town

I am just a living breathing inch or two from away
From a jail cell, or a grave - or long-time sidewalk stay
We look at those with nothing and compare ourselves to them
And in our minds, we feel superior – but nothings different friend

At times I sit and wonder how I’ll pay the rent and bills
And keep the student loans at bay and tell ‘em I ain’t got it still
Anxiety falls over - but perspective takes command
think how lucky I am sitting here with four walls and these hands

A man asked me for two fifty for a sandwich he was short
Gave him three, he turned away from me, and gave that speech to her
Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town

Sometimes I sit and think about the past mistakes and sin
all the hurt and pain I’ve caused and how much sadness I’ve given
While time it heals your inner critic reminds you at last
It’s-hard-to move on from the feeling when your head’s still in the past

You learn in circles, coffee pots and words to pass around
That forgiveness of yourself is paramount to gaining ground
It comes in time - but once absolved - you discover what’s in store
Work to make the ones around you happy, spread the love for sure

A man asked me for two fifty for a sandwich he was short
Gave him three, he turned away from me, and gave that speech to her
Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town

You-see people on the streets talking to people we-don’t-see
And we think something’s wrong with them instead of thinking where we’d be
If a turn had taken differently or turned your path for worse
Who knows who you would be talking to – if you all your love dispersed

If healthcare in this country gave a shit about our brains
It wouldn’t take a trip to intake just to ease away the pain
The runaround and pill game is enough to break you down
But I hear you and I see you and I’m here for you right now




A man asked me for two fifty for a sandwich he was short
Gave him three, he turned away from me, and gave that speech to her
Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town

So, I think about Neosho, and the man who asked to spare
Two dollars and fifty cents to fill his stomach up somewhere
He knew well he would be drinking, who I am I to judge him now
In my vehicle with safety, as I’m driving from his town

See that’s the difference between those of us, those who have the means
In a system that puts profits over preventing disease
The poor man in Neosho, hope he gets the help he’s owed
And in my mind, he speaks to sidewalks – but I hope he’s not alone

A man asked me for two fifty for a sandwich he was short
Gave him three, he turned away from me, and gave that speech to her,
Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town

Even if he does buy whiskey, who I am to judge him now
Oh, the pain he must be feeling as I’m driving from his town