What Cares I For Praise?

Allow me to reintroduce myself
Though you’ve seen my face before
If you own a store I’ve been in your store
If you labor I’m a laborer
You can gimme fame or gimme blame
To me it’s two sides of the same
Go ahead! Call me any name
Just don’t expect that I’ll be ashamed
If you live in this land your land I’ve crossed it
I’ve shook your hand and not your pocket
But your door don’t open when I knock it
Now I’m around back, gonna unlock it
I’ll take what’s found but I’ll make no sound
Turn around and leave this phrase…
What cares I for praise?

Free do I be in this country
Underneath its trees I’ve made
Libraries out of leaves
My pants are patched with plain grass
I made brushes outta branches
And painted my path
I thump on a tree stump to make a drum beat
Come and hum in rhythm
I heard words in woods no other ear could
And if I could I would, I'd make cash outta grass
Cuz hard, ain’t it hard, for me and you
We got some different blues
See, I don’t need the cash but I like to hold a little
Enough to touch the sky without a fold in the middle
And it’ll take 40 folds to fit me into any mold
Ain’t no game if you’re the only one who plays…
What cares I for praise?

There’s much too much uncertainty
So shit, don’t take it so seriously
But assuredly still with dignity
Tall will I talk to the death of me
I’m just a humble bumpkin but I’m struttin’
Like I’m sumthin’, drunken
I’m personal parading
At a bouquet of banquets I’m the toast of every table
They hand champagne so I thank ‘em:
Have a hunger in your stomach when your plate is plenty
And full may your belly be when it’s empty
And if you go the right road, then may
You travel always and be safe…
What cares I for praise?

Goodwill to all who to me don’t do ill
And if you’re dry-souled I wish you well
But I’ll fire up a riot if you try and keep me quiet
And if I was you, I wouldn’t try it
The shoulder of a friend, an ear to bend,
And a helping hand is what I’ll lend
And if what I mighta said did offend
I’m sorry but we don’t gotta be friends
These words ain’t worth much in money and materials
And won’t fill you full like a bowl of cereal
But if you hold and receive ‘em fair and full
They can have you standin’ tall, a pair of boots for the soul
And if it ain’t, hey, I said what I gotta say,
I meant no harm I’ll turn and spread my arms
Like an eagle’s wings and raise…
What cares I for Praise?