Ferdinand The Imposter lyrics

Song information

Artist: The Band
Album: Music From Big Pink

Lyrics

A a/d a a/d a
(Intro)
A bm e d
Ferdinand standing in the tower thinkin how to get the power

Empress knows that it would cost her
For ferdinand the imposter
Came to me to make a deal
Dressed like general butterfield
A bm d e
Couldnt wait to thank him for the stuffed birds and rubber door

A g d
Donated to him from the poor
D a
But its just his game
D a
And he carries no shame
A g d
Still, he done nobody wrong
D a
He knew he didn't belong
D a
But he went along
C#m
D e e7
Looking to see if there's somebody else he'd like to be

Benny the barber, luke and me
Passed out tickets cautiously
To see the burning of the soup
Down at lucy's chicken coop
Then of course ferdinand
Started out doing charlie chan
That last atlas honkey's fall
He says he's gonna do them all

A voice just said he's not for real
But its just his game
And he carries no shame
Still he done nobody wrong
He knew he didn't belong
But he went along
Lookin' to see if there's somebody
Else he'd like to be

C#m bm
Oh its hard, oh, don't you know
C#m bm
To be somebody that you dont even know
A d
But he's friendly, yes he's kind
B e e7
I can't help wonderin why they'd want to change his mind

Got a message in the mail
Ferdinand was thrown in jail
I left the snow with abigail
Went on down to fix his bail
They had him locked in a gunny sack
His hands were tied behind his back
He claimed he was a doukhobor (*)
But they never heard of that in baltimore
The police said he'd better go home
And he went back alone
Back to the snow

Still he done nobody wrong
He knew he didn't belong
But he went along
Lookin' to see if there's somebody
Else he'd like to be
Mainly free