Illegal Smile - John Prine

G D C G
When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
C G D G
seems like total silence is the only friend I have
D C G C G
a bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down... and won
D C G C G
and it was twelve o'clock before I realized that I was havin' no fun

{chorus}
D G C D G
but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
step up to) C G
and you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
D G
it don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
(step up to) C G
won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
D C G
no I was just tryin' to have me some fun

G D C G
last time I checked my bankroll, well it was gettin' thin
C G D G
sometimes it seems like the bottom is the only place I've been
D C G C G
chased a rainbow down a one-way street... dead end
D C G C G
and all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen

{repeat chorus}

G D C G
I sat down in my closet with all my overalls
C G D G
just tryin' to get away from all the years inside these walls
D C G C G
dreamed the police heard everything I thought... what then?
D C G C G
well I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffman

{repeat chorus}