Medicaid Blues

Inspired by a friend with Parkinson's Disease who recently had to move into a nursing home and who is now faced with unbelievable financial stress, I wrote the following lyrics for a "County Song". I do not read or write music, although I have a tune in my head, I have no way of indicating to the reader how that sounds. So, if you can, imagine your own tune as you read the following. But my prayer is that you never have to face what this song describes.

Medicaid Blues
Sittin' here in the nursin' home, wonderin' what to do;
Mama's gotta give the house away, 'cause she don't have a clue;
The government says, "We'll pay the bill, but here's what you must do:
"You gotta give it all away."
"You gotta give it all away: your house, your coat, your car---
"All you worked for all your life, and the change in the old fruit jar.
"You can't keep anything for yourself, you won't need it anyway,
"'Cause the government's gonna care for you 'til you just fade away.

I wonder how long a man can last when hope and pride are gone?
Never thought I'd be sittin' here, singin' this poor man's song,
But life can take some crazy turns, and the next turn may be you.
The government says they'll pay the bill, but here's what you must do:
You gotta give it all away: your house, your coat, your car---
All you worked for all your life, and the change in the old fruit jar.
Can't keep anything for yourself, you won't need it anyway,
'Cause the government's gonna care for you 'til you just fade away.

Never had a thing I didn't earn earn, I never took one red cent;
Always had enough to feed the kids, and enough to pay the rent.
Now times are hard and cash is scarce and I'm a little short, it's true,
But the government says they'll pay the bill, here's all I have to do:
I gotta give it all away: my house, my coat, my car;
All I've worked for all my life and the change in the old fruit jar.
Can't keep anything for myself, I won't need it, so they say,
'Cause the government's gonna care for me 'til I just fade away.
Yes, the government's gonna care for me 'til I just fade away.

(c)2009 J Ray Bobo