Ticket Blues

[Verse] Oh, the bus fare's risin', it ain't no lie, Fifty pennies higher, makes me wanna cry. Used to roam the city, just a dime or two, Now I'm countin' nickels, what am I to do? [Verse 2] Saw the driver smirk, as I dug for change, Quarter short, he barked, like I was strange. Pennies in the gutter, my wallet's gettin' thin, Whistlin' 'bout the good times, hey, where do I begin? [Chorus] Back in my day, it was a penny and a smile, Could ride around the whole town, mile after mile. Back in my day, the wind was in the fare, No worry 'bout no nickel, we didn't have a care. [Verse 3] Streets are filled with blues, singin' fare increase, Old man with a dream, now just a piece. Jazz rumbles underfoot, like a broken chant, Echoes of old glory, of the things that can't. [Bridge] When the city hums, and the bus brakes whine, I think of simpler days, when the fare was fine. Coins were just tin notes, in a melody's verse, Now every jingle jangle, just makes it worse. [Chorus] Back in my day, it was a penny and a smile, Could ride around the whole town, mile after mile. Back in my day, the wind was in the fare, No worry 'bout no nickel, we didn't have a care.