I've seen the burning bush and the dirty water,
the road to ruin and the San Berdoo.
I've seen the girls in New York City.
Seen the light in Memphis and Mephisto 2.

Ain't nothing new, ain't no surprises.
The moon waxes and the wheel goes around.
You cut the cards and you count your blessings.
You count your dollars when the deal goes down.

It's all in vain when the day is done.
Ain't nothing new in the eye of the sun.
I've seen a woman casting bread on the water.
I've seen a man go from dust to dust.

I've seen the bottle and the needle go around,
true love and murderous lust, ain't nothing new, ain't no surprises.
I've seen the black car driving slow.
I heard them singing in the city of David.

I heard them weeping down in Tupelo.
It's all the same, when the day is done,
ain't nothing new in the eye of the sun.
I've seen the wicked in the holy places.

I've seen an angel in a juke joint bar.
I've heard the wisdom of a thousand sages.
I've smelled the flies in the medicine jar,
ain't nothing new, ain't no surprises.

The fools laughing and the wise men crying.
I've seen the hard rain fall on the righteous,
the rich dogs and the starving lions.
You've had your fun when the day is done.
Ain't nothing new in the eye of the sun.