1. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

A long time ago, in 1965 or so
I met a man with a face that was a real disgrace
Pictures he took and put them in a little book
So ambitious was he, he even took a picture of me.

Then one day he opened up a studio (start recording now)
Tried to make it pay, making hit records or no
And he asked me along write him a little song
I get the studio free, just sign this paper for me.

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my friend
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf.

Oh yeah.

Later on, after I wrote that song
Even heard it played up on Radio One (Radio One)
Manager said : 'Money all gone away'
You spent it, you see, up and down the country.

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my friend
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf.

Well, I started to say, I mean we've got to play
What else can I do ? We're not clever like you.
Then said he : 'You know how I'm fair’
You can sign to the company for another ten years.

You got to take good care of business, my friend
Take good care of yourself
You got to take good care of business, my boys
Otherwise you'll end up on the shelf.


2. NORTH COUNTRY BOY

I'm just an ordinary north country man
I had a dream that bid me come here
Although naïve, I thought that I'd make my way
But fair weather friends is all that I had.

They took from me all that I had to give
Replenished me with their reason
Don't you talk to me about your sacrifice
Then ask of me if I'm leaving.

I'm going down to the water today
I got to wash away my sorrow
I'm going down to the water today
I gotta get me clean by tomorrow.

I'm just an ordinary north country man
My dream has edges that are fading
This year that's passed, it's not such a waste
It's just a hard way to be learning.

We've got no choice in the life that we're born to
Our only choosing is in its living
Now people in their own time will show just that they are
I hope this time I know who I am.

I'm going down to the water today
I’ve got to wash away my sorrow
I'm going down to the water today
I gotta get me clean by tomorrow.

I’m gotta get me clean
I’m gotta get me clean
I’m gotta get me clean
I’m gotta get me clean.