Video hit Tom Waits

Tom Waits - On the Nickel

On the Nickel by Tom Waits, with pictures of him, the Nickel and random people.

"On the Nickel" was recorded for the Ralph Waite film of the same name.

"Heartattack and Vine" was covered by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. In 1993 this version was used without Waits' permission in a Levi's commercial, for which Waits took legal action and won a settlement.

The lyrics:

Sticks and stones will break my bones

but I always will be true

and when your Mama´s dead and gone, I'll sing this lullaby just for you

And what becomes of all the little boys

Who never comb their hair

They're lined up all around the block, on the nickel over there.

So better bring a bucket, there is a hole in the pail

And if you don't get my letter, then you'll know that I'm in jail

and what becomes of all the little boys

who never say their prayers

They're sleepin' like a baby,

on the nickel over there.

And if you chew tobacco and wish upon a star,

You'll find out where the scarecrows sit, just like punchlines between the cars

And I know a place where a royal flush can never beat a pair

And even Thomas Jefferson

is on the nickel over there.

So ring around a rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain

And you're always late for supper

And man you let me down again

I thought I heard a mockingbird

Roosevelt knows where, you can skip the line with Grady Tuck,

on the nickel over there.

So what becomes of all the little boys

Who run away from home

The world just keeps gettin' bigger, once you get out on your own

So here's to all the little boys

The sandman takes you where you'll be sleepin' with the pillowman

On the nickel over there.

So climb up through that buttonhole, and fall right up the stairs

And i'll show you where the short dogs grow

On the nickel over there.