Modern Talk (Live)

Modern Talk (Live) - Shel Silverstein

There was a time when people talked said with their mouth

How they talk and it doesn't mean a thing

It's called the modern talk

Now picture the scene the day is sunny

A man meets a friend and asks him for some money

He says I need five to keep me alive

And the friend gives him this kinda jive

He says zaa za voo za za voo I can't make it

Va za va za voo za va see ya later so long

Vome zoo za vome a viddle o till then

And he's right back out on the street again

And then a girl gets on the phone and talks to her lover

She says we got troubles that we can't keep covered

I just got the news I'm knittin' baby shoes

Now call up the preacher and pay your dues

He says zaa za voo za za voo see you later so long

I can't stand baby vome zoo za vome till then

And she's right back out on the street again

And then a guy gets grabbed by an army recruiter

He says we're gonna put you in the khaki suiter

So do not cry and don't you lie but take this test to qualify

The guy says blblblblblbl

Right back out on the street again

And then a lady goes down to see her psychiatrist

And lies on a couch to give her little head a twist

Now is it a psychosis

Or is it a neurosis the doctor gives her this diagnosis

Sayin' huhuh listen huhuh twenty dollars

Next wednesday baby then we'll huhuh then

She's right back out on the street again

And then the preachers in the church they're blessin' and damnin'

Presidents standin' there just Vietnamin

While the animals sing and politicians swing

And everybody's sayin' the same damned thing

They're sayin' zaa za voo za za voo

You know that's modern talk