Roland the Roadie and Gertrude the Groupie

(Shel Silverstein)

Now Roland the roadie was only a toadie who set up the lights and the mikes for the shows

And Gertrude the groupie was a rock and roll fan, who stood by the stage door in the rains and the snows

Roland the roadie met Gertrude the groupie at a rock concert back in Bayonne

He tried to seduce, said he'd introduce her to all of the Beatles and Stones

So Roland the roadie got Gertrude the groupie a seat in the balcony above

And Gertrude the groupie felt grateful and groovy but Roland the roadie felt love

And some folks loves ham hocks and some folks loves pork chops and some folks love vegetable soup

But Roland the roadie loves Gertrude the groupie, but Gertrude the groupie loves groups

She stood up and screamed as the amber spot gleamed on her heroes so skinny and tall

With their eyelids so droopy, and Gertrude the groupie and she was in love with them all

Roland the roadie told Gertrude the groupie to wait and he'd be her man

But while he dreamed of a rose covered home she was out with the group in the van

Hey Gertie, get out here, come on babe, come on out of there... I know you're in there...

The whole trailer's moving baby... What about me... Gertie... Oh Gertie

Now Roland the roadie is back on the road, his heart has been broken again

And Gertrude the groupie waits out in the cold for the very next group to come in

And some folks loves ham hocks and some folks loves pork chops and some folks loves vegetable soup

And Roland the roadie loves Gertrude the groupie, but Gertrude the groupie loves groups

...groups... groups... groups...

(c)1972 Tro-Essex Music Ltd.