“PRETTY GOOD”

Pretty Good (c) 2021, Dave Palley

“Judge not lest ye be judged.” Here’s the Nashville demo of a song I wrote inspired by someone’s personal story. The instrumental and harmony tracks are available to a young female singer who’d like to try recording it. Thanks to Vaughn Lofstead for producing and performing on this. The vocals are by Erin Hay.

First girl in my family to make it on to college 
Got college debt (you’d win that bet) and most of a degree.
To pay the rent while rustle ing success and higher knowledge
I took to waiting tables near the university.

The Maitre D winked at me, while seating at my table
A handsome man—tall and tan—who smiled and met my eye.
My shift all done, this gentleman wooed me with a fable
About Amsterdam, Paree, Milan, Tokyo and Dubai.

Where I got to, how I got there, there are folks would pay to know.
And part of me would take some glee in saying, “Told you so.”
I said I shouldn’t but, you know, I knew of course I would . . . .
And now I’m set up pretty good.

Though ringless, he was married, soon it became clear.
“How soon?” you ask. Lest ye be judged I will not answer here.
He kept me in a handsome style, and I kept out of sight.
It’s over now and, per our deal, my future’s lookin’ bright.

Discretion was our bargain, and there were other terms.
He kept his and I kept mine, that’s why you’ll never learn
How sweet our time together, how genteel our goodbye,
Nor how I found the funds to purchase things I now could buy.

Where I got to, how I got there, there are folks would pay to know.
And part of me would take some glee in saying, “Told you so.”
I said I shouldn’t but, you know, I knew of course I would . . . .
And now I’m set up pretty good.

Where I came from, how I got here, there are folks would pay to know.
And part of me would take some glee in shocking them, although
I said I could keep secrets, and I showed my friend I could . . . . .
And now I’m set up pretty good.
Pretty, set up well and pretty good.

Permission to perform and/or to record, using and attributing the published lyrics, is granted to all.