"I Judged A Man" Lyrics

(Johnny Mullins)

Today I saw some ragged clothes
And I judged the frame on which they hung
There goes a wasted life says I
I'll not waste mine for I'm young.

I know his kind they're all alike
He's from the skid row part of town
He'll beg a dime here and a quarter there
And be in the gutter before the sun goes down.

Then I turned and walked into a store
To buy a book of poems to read
Oh, the best of literature says
I is for the man of higher bread.

Then I saw these words aimed right at me
And it made me sorta hang my head
For I'd turned at random to a page
And halfway down this poem I read.

He sold a row of violents
Along a barren path he trod
That every future passer by
Might view the handy work of God.

He carved a map upon a stone
Placed it on a dessert floor
To show tomorrows dying soul
Where cool clear water lay in store.

And to write here all the many things
He did to help his fellow man
Why it would make a book too long
To read and wear away the poet's pen.

Then I left the store to find that man
Just walk up to him rags and all
And shake his hand and chat awhile
And then I heard an ambulance call.

What happened here I asked someone
Why all the crowd that's gathered round
They said just some old ragged man
From the skid row part of town.

I bowed my head in silent prayer
Forgive me Lord for my idle tongue
Today I saw some ragged clothes
And I judged the frame on which they hung...