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Public-domain lyrics

The Old Dope Peddler

A seemingly kindly neighborhood portrait turns into a satire of predatory commerce.

Revisited Track 11 1960

Complete public-domain lyrics

Cheerful phrasing clashes with the subject of the song, exposing the narrator's disturbing idea of doing good. This is a fictional satirical portrait, not an endorsement of drug sales. The four printed quatrains are reproduced in full.

Verse 1

When the shades of night are falling,

Comes a fellow everyone knows.

It's the old dope peddler,

Spreading joy wherever he goes.

Verse 2

Every evening you will find him,

Around our neighborhood.

It's the old dope peddler,

Doing well by doing good.

Verse 3

He gives the kids free samples,

Because he knows full well

That today's young innocent faces

Will be tomorrow's clientele.

Verse 4

Here's a cure for all your troubles,

Here's an end to all distress.

It's the old dope peddler

With his powdered happiness.

Keep tracing

More from Revisited.

01IntroductionSong notes 02I Wanna Go Back to DixiePublic-domain lyrics 03The Irish BalladPublic-domain lyrics 04The Wiener Schnitzel WaltzPublic-domain lyrics