Don't you got a way of spinning a story Don't you got a way of stoking a fire And the radio man and the newsprint chorus They're weaving it into the bright headlines Don't you got a way of making a mistake Don't you got a way of calling it right Don't you got a way of taking a good thing And strangling out the last bit of light In the palm of your hand is a worn out dollar You stole from a man on the subway steps With a cardboard sign said thank the father But you ain't spoke no thank you yet Don't you got a way of making a mistake Don't you got a way of calling it right Don't you got a way of getting off easy Don't you got a way of telling a lie And the sun beats on the highest building And a shadow on the street below And there ain't no fixing what's been broken And there ain't no price for what's been sold Don't you got a way of talking in circles Don't you got a way of talking too loud Don't you got a way of taking the fearful And making them hate everybody else Don't you got a way of making a mistake Don't you got a way of calling it right Don't you got a way of taking a good thing And strangling out the last bit of light