Companion to ‘Beggar’

From Sam Shepard’s Savage/Love:

Beggar

Could you give me a small part of yourself
I’m only asking for the tiniest part
Just enough to get me from here to there

Could you give me something
Anything at all
I’ll accept whatever it is

Could you just put your hand on my head
Could you brush against my arm
Could you just come near enough
So I could feel as though you might be able to hold me

Could you touch me with your voice
Blow your breath in my direction

Is it all right if I look straight into your face

Could I just walk behind you for a little while
Would you let me follow you at a distance

If I had anything of value I’d gladly give it to you
If there’s anything of me you want just take it

But don’t think I’m this way with everybody
I almost never come to this
In fact usually it’s the other way around

There’s lots of people
Who would love to even have a conversation with me
Who even ask me if they can walk behind me

So don’t get any ideas that I’m completely alone
Because I’m not

In fact you’re the one who looks like you could use a little company

Where do you get off thinking you have anything to give me anyway

I have everything I need
And what I don’t have I know where to get it
Any time I want

In the middle of the night
In the middle of the afternoon
Five o’clock in the morning

In fact I’m wasting my time right now
Just talking to you

Hums
A capella, melody line only
no words

“I’m in the mood for love”

A play by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin; Copyright © 1981 Sam Shepard

Beggar

 

I’ve given everything I have

Even the tiniest part is gone

It’s just not enough to get you from here to there

 

How about you give me something

Anything at all

I’ll accept whatever it is

 

YOU put your hand on my head

YOU brush against my arm

YOU just come near enough

But I know you won’t be able to hold me

 

I am touching you with my voice

Here’s my breath

 

Look me straight in the face, if it’s all right with you

 

Walk behind me, but

don’t follow

 

Just don’t think I’m this way with everybody

I almost never come to this

In fact it’s usually the other way around

 

And I’m sure there’s lots of people

Who would love to even have a conversation with you

Who even ask you if they can walk behind you

But don’t get any ideas that I’m asking you to

Because I’m not

 

In fact, it looks like YOU could use a little

            company

 

And you’re right I don’t have anything to give you

            anyway

 

What you don’t have you know where to get it

any time you want and

so do I

 

In the middle of the night

In the middle of the afternoon

Five o’clock in the morning

 

So let’s quit wasting our time talking to

each other.

 

Hums:

A capella, melody line only no words
“Baby, I’m in the mood for you” -Bob Dylan