[VERSE]
About five years ago
I didn't have a cent
So looking for a job
To the music man I went

The manager, he said
This band has got to roll
So climb aboard with me
And hand over your soul

[Chorus]
And so it's picking, picking hard
As long as you can stand
Picking all the day
Working for the music man

[VERSE]
The band begin to roll
And I lit up a smoke
While thinking to myself
That this job was just a joke

But then I heard a yell:
"Put on your boots, my son
Get off that dirty floor
And make that guitar hum."
[Chorus]
And so it's picking, picking hard
As long as you can stand
Picking all the day
Working for the music man

[VERSE]
So everywhere we went
And tired as I could be
I soon made up my mind
That this life was not for me

But then I heard a shout:
"You're hired for the run
So get back up in here
And make that guitar hum."

[Chorus]
And so it's picking, picking hard
As long as you can stand
Picking all the day
Working for the music man

[VERSE]
Now, listen to my song
You men who play for fun
Keep clear of music men
They'll take you for a run
The picking life is tough
You'd better stop it quick
It'll leave you where you started
You're better off to quit

[Chorus]
Or else it's picking, picking hard
As long as you can stand
Picking all the day
Working for the music man

(And I still don't even have a cent)