[Verse 1]
Half your life is gone but you don't worry
They're killing you but you don't even care
They play you just like a game of checkers
King's row Houston business waiting there
Now these nine long years have come between us
Hollywood's not far from San Antone
Why don't you hammer up a leg for General Hersey
Deal out artificial skin and bone

[Chorus]
Daddy dropped the ball in the bowling hall
'Cause he bet on a loser and took a fall
Poor mother
My sweet darling mother
In the middle-aged Gulf of Texaco
He met him a hot one and you should know my brother
Oh straight brother

[Verse 2]
Why don't you take another rose to Uncle Hymie
He's got going out of business signs galore
But they don't let money change you into a billfold
Cosmic conscious Katie bar the door
Nephew skinned a niece while playing cowboy
Sister-in-law sprayed some Texas heads
Well you might be an artist if you want to
You get to follow bouncing balls in Texas beds
[Chorus]
Daddy dropped the ball in the bowling hall
'Cause he bet on a loser and he took a fall
Poor mother
Oh poor darling mother
In the middle-aged Gulf of Texaco
He met him a hot one and you should know my brother
Yes your searching straight brother

[Outro]
Brother tell me who
Why don't you follow the heart and play the part and all that brother oh baby
Brother tell me who
Why don't you listen just one time and tell me what is on your mind
Brother tell me who
I wouldn't tell you any wrong any more and I sing the song
Brother tell me who
Straight, straight, straight, straight brother