This is a contrast between the giver and the receiver and who is benefiting most.
Story behind the song
I often see people bumming on busy corners at traffic lihgts. One day I gave one of them money. This song is a story about how I felt and what I thought about the experience.
Lyrics
I pulled up to a traffic light on my way home today.
There was a bum begging on the corner.
It’s a favorite spot for bumming due to the long light.
Traffic stacks up there day and night.
chorus
I don’t know who he is
or where he came from.
Does he need of a break?
Or is he just a bum.
He has long gray hair and a tobacco stained beard.
He has yellow crooked teeth and his shirt sleeves are smeared.
His baggy clothes hanging on his skinny frame,
Lots of folks give him money no one asked his name
He always says thank you for your kindness
He has a bent up cardboard sign that says God Bless
It makes you wonder who’s helping who
Is it him or is it you
2nd chorus
Today I give him money
Tomorrow I’ll pass him by.
It’s more about how I feel
Than that poor old guy
Maybe he’s an alcoholic, or maybe mentally ill.
It really doesn’t matter; He needs a dollar bill.
You can make up anything about the man standing there,
For a dollar you pretend that you care.
Today I give him money
Tomorrow I’ll pass him by.
It’s more about how I feel
Than that poor old guy
