(Mark Erelli)      When I was a boy   I went to hear this picker play   I still recall his blue guitar   Like it was yesterday   I was a powder keg a-waitin'   For someone to light the fuse   He struck a match and I did catch   The troubadour blues      When I got my first guitar   I played until my fingers bled   Though my parents wished   That I were doing something else instead   I wish they'd understand   It isn't something I can choose   Oh mama I was born to sing   The troubadour blues      CHORUS   Troubadour blues   Troubadour blues   All you need's a simple song   Three chords and the truth   Like Hank and Woody   Townes and Jimmie Rodgers used to do   Oh Lord I'm bound to ramble   With those troubadour blues      So I married me a woman   But she's more like a saint   She's alone 200 nights a year   With nary a complaint   Oh babe I hate to leave you lonely   But I need to pay my dues   Forgive me while I'm gone to sing   The troubadour blues      (CHORUS)      The same old battle's raging   All on down the line   Why does it seem like nothing's changed   Since Woody Guthrie's time?   I ain't afraid to sing about those things   You don't see on the news   'Cause there's plenty job security   In the troubadour blues      So let me thank you Mr. President   To me you've been so kind   For the well of inspiration   Can dry up from time to time   Each time you open up your mouth   You give me something I can use   Every day another reason   For the troubadour blues      CHORUS   Troubadour blues   Troubadour blues   All you need's a simple song   Three chords and the truth   Like Hank and Woody   Townes and David Carter used to do   Oh Lord I'm bound to ramble