for Randy Newman
A naked man sat down at a piano today
A naked man started to play
And did anyone hear, did anyone listen
To what the naked man had to say?
I sat down without my clothes on
I bowed my head and started to pray
I said, Lord if you can hear me, and Lord
If you can see me naked before you today
Oh, what shall I put on what shall I wear?
Will it reveal or cover me standing there?
They say it’s illegal to be naked
A naked man can’t walk in the street
Out of pocket can a coin keep its shine?
Can a shoeless man protect his feet?
And where is a naked man to go
To try on his first suit of clothes
If a hand-me-down dress from a benefactress
Is less of a cover than holes?
Oh, what shall I put on what shall I wear?
Will it reveal or cover me standing there?
Nothing’s more dangerous than a naked man
And nothing’s more helpless too
And if anything’s funnier or more truthful
Than a naked man, I’d like to ask you
Take a look at that man at the piano
Is he hidden or exposed behind the smirk?
Is he brave when he lies or plays the jerk
In tunes for kids or adults full grown?
Oh, what shall I put on what shall I wear?
Will it reveal or cover me standing there?