Harry Frazee and No No Nanette - Forgive Durden

I followed every single step

Listed in didactic manuals

I sat up straight

I prayed to God

I dress my shutters in matching paint

I pressed my nose to the grindstone

I did everything I was told

I rubbed elbows with the elite

But I still feel so empty

His parents divorced over

Mother’s parturient belly

Who, in keeping with martyrdom

Died upon boy’s delivery

His father had always blamed him

For her early departure

He was born alone

He lived alone

He’ll rot alone

And die alone

I followed every single step

Listed in didactic manuals

I sat up straight

I prayed to God

I dress my shutters in matching paint

I pressed my nose to the grindstone

I did everything I was told

I rubbed elbows with the elite

But I still feel so empty

He sits alone and sobs

Immersed in his trappings of luxury

He’s never been a big drinker

But tonight his liver would not know it

The burdens have become a crushing load

The wrenching twist will soon cause a shift

The pressure, fleeting and pounding

I feel the trigger give

I followed every single step

Listed in didactic manuals

I sat up straight

I prayed to God

I dress my shutters in matching paint

I pressed my nose to the grindstone

I did everything I was told

I rubbed elbows with the elite

But I still feel so empty