Billy Dee

Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty-one
 Fooling with some foolish things he could've left alone
 But he had to try to satisfy a thirst he couldn't name
 Driven towards the darkness by the devil in his veins
 All around the honky tonks, searching for a sign
 Gettin' by on gettin' high on women, words and wine
 Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and others called him free
 But we just called us lucky for the love of Billy Dee
 Busy goin' his own way and speakin' his own words
 Facin' and forgettin' every warnin' that he heard
 Makin' friends and takin' any crazy chance he could
 Gettin' busted for the bad times and believin' in the good
 Billy took a beatin' from a world he meant no harm
 The score was written in the scars up on his arm
 Some felt he was payin' for the life he tried to lead
 But all we felt was sorry for our good friend Billy Dee
 It may be his soul was bigger than a body's oughta be
 Singin' songs and bringin' laughter to the likes of you and me
 Cause the world he saw was sadder than the one he hoped to find
 But it wasn't near as lonesome as the one he left behind
 Yesterday they found him on the floor of his hotel
 Reachin' towards the needle, Lord, that drove him down to hell
 Some folks called it suicide, others blame the speed
 But we all called it crucified when Billy Dee O.D.'d