(Verse 1 – young Todd)
I traded my rent money for a pawn shop guitar.
I learned three chords in Beaverton and aimed for Mars.
Didn’t know if I’d make it, but I damn sure tried.
With a notebook full of wisdom and a hitchhiker’s pride.
Next thing I know I was sleepin’ on a floor in a Texas town.
Dreamin’ ‘bout a gig that might come around.
Woke up to the sound of a worn-out Martin.
Turned out it was another hobo fartin‘.
(Chorus – The Fans)
Tonight we‘re alright guys, yeah, we’ve been worse.
Got a couple of demons, a couple of verses.
We laugh, we cry, we get a little higher.
Singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
Yeah, we’re alright guys, we ain’t saints.
We got duct-tape hearts and beer can paint.
We mess up, but we inspire.
Singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
(Verse 2 – John Prine‘s perspective)
I met that kid down in Tennessee.
Had a crooked grin and a song for me.
Said, “John, I’m tryin’ to walk that line.
Between freedom, fun, and a white lie fine.”
I told him, “Don’t chase fame, don’t change your tone.
The truth sounds better when you leave it alone.
The angels love the ones who fall apart slow.
There‘s a cactus in the desert where the dry jokes grow.“
(Chorus – The Fans)
Tonight we‘re alright guys, yeah, we’ve been worse.
Got a couple of demons, a couple of verses.
We laugh, we cry, we get a little higher.
Singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
Yeah, we’re alright guys, we ain’t saints.
We got duct-tape hearts and beer can paint.
We mess up, but we inspire.
Singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
(Verse 3 – Jerry Jeff Walker‘s perspective)
Now that hard working American, he’s a kindred soul.
Got a gypsy heart, he‘s a poet on a roll.
He don’t sing for money, he sings for the ride.
With a wink, a laugh, and dubious friends by his side.
We raised a glass down in Corpus Christi.
He asked, “Ain’t these tree huggin‘ Texas girls nifty?”
I said, “We both ain’t from here, but it suits us well.
You got the dust on your boots and the stories to tell.”
(Verse 4 – old Todd)
Now I’m sittin’ in a room with fluorescent light.
Thinkin’ maybe I shoulda gone home that night.
Got a scar on my head and a pill in my hand.
Nurse asks, “You famous?” I said, “Nah, just a human.”
John and Jerry Jeff done clocked out clean.
I’m singin’ their songs to the hospital machine.
I swear I’ll be good if I get one more try.
Just play a train song, I’ll be fine.
(Final Chorus – The Fans)
Tonight we‘re happy to be here, making new connections.
Step right up, crank it up, while we still have a chance.
We can‘t complain, we reach a little higher.
Singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
Yeah, we’re agnostic and aimless, and we ain’t done.
Still believin’ in the troubadour’s run (beer run).
From Seattle nights to the East Nashville skyline.
We’ll keep singin’ the Ballad of Todd Snider.
(Tag – spoken)
Alright, guys. Fighting for peace that’s like screaming for quiet? The devil you know about him. Nah, he ain’t perfect. But hell, who is?
(by Smartin Winner, November 15th, 2025)
A Haven For Songs 