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[00:11.17]Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty-one
[00:16.61]Fooling with some foolish things he could've left alone
[00:21.60]But he had to try to satisfy a thirst he couldn't name
[00:27.38]Driven towards the darkness by the devil in his veins
[00:32.93]
[00:34.18]All around the honky tonks, searching for a sign
[00:38.91]
[00:39.66]Gettin' by on gettin' high on women, words and wine
[00:44.99]Some folks called him crazy, Lord, and others called him free
[00:49.93]
[00:50.56]But we just called us lucky for the love of Billy Dee
[00:55.25]
[01:02.75]Busy goin' his own way and speakin' his own words
[01:08.05]Facin' and forgettin' every warnin' that he heard
[01:12.59]Makin' friends and takin' any crazy chance he could
[01:18.53]Gettin' busted for the bad times and believin' in the good
[01:23.09]
[01:25.71]Billy took a beatin' from a world he meant no harm
[01:30.53]The score was written in the scars up on his arm
[01:36.29]Some felt he was payin' for the life he tried to lead
[01:40.84]
[01:41.84]But all we felt was sorry for our good friend Billy Dee
[01:46.46]
[01:53.40]It may be his soul was bigger than a body's oughta be
[01:59.20]Singin' songs and bringin' laughter to the likes of you and me
[02:04.73]Cause the world saw was he sadder than the one he hoped to find
[02:09.54]
[02:10.10]But it wasn't near as lonesome as the one he left behind
[02:15.39]
[02:17.13]Yesterday they found him on the floor of his hotel
[02:22.45]Reachin' towards the needle, Lord, that drove him down to hell
[02:27.11]
[02:27.80]folks Some called it suicide, others blame the speed
[02:32.63]
[02:33.44]But we all called it crucified when Billy Dee O.D.'d