Story Of An Artist

Daniel Johnston

Compositor: Daniel Johnston

Tom: C

C
Listen up and I'll tell a story
                 Dm
About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory
                C
Others aren't so bold

C
Everyone, and friends and family
                  Dm
Saying, "Hey! Get a job!"

"Why do you only do that only?
                C
Why are you so odd?

C
We don't really like what you do.
                      Dm
We don't think anyone ever will.

It's a problem that you have,
                             C
And this problem's made you ill."

C
Listen up and I'll tell a story
                 Dm
About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory
                C
Others aren't so bold

C
The artist walks alone
                        Dm
Someone said behind his back,

"He's got gall to call himself that!
                                C
He doesn't even know where he's at!"

C
The artist walks among the flowers
                 Dm
Appreciating the sun

He does this all his waking hours
                    C
But is it really so wrong?

C
They sit in front of their TV
                      Dm
Saying, "Hey! This is fun!"

And they laugh at the artist
                                     C
Saying, "He doesn't know how to have fun."

C
The best things in life are truly free
                           Dm
Singing birds and laughing bees

"You've got me wrong," says he.
                             C
"The sun don't shine in your TV"

C
Listen up and I'll tell a story
                        Dm
About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory
                 C
Others aren't so bold

C
Listen up and I'll tell a story
                 Dm
About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory
                C
Others aren't so bold

C
Everyone, and friends and family
                  Dm
Saying, "Hey! Get a job!"

"Why do you only do that only?
                C
Why are you so odd?

C
We don't really like what you do.
                      Dm
We don't think anyone ever will.

It's a problem that you have,
                             C
And this problem's made you ill."

C
Listen up and I'll tell a story
                 Dm
About an artist growing old

Some would try for fame and glory
                              C
Others just like to watch the world.