Thirty Records Songtext
von Lo Carmen

It was all that I had
When I racked my mind
For something to sell
For something to buy
It was your birthday
I knew what I wanted
I had to find a way
I looked around
At everything that I owned
But everything was on loan
Or broken
Or needed
Or a token of affection
Or my record collection
I had nothin′ worth selling
'cept maybe my records


So I sat down and went through
My dirty old vinyl
And made a little stack
Some of them
Felt like old, old friends
Oh lord it was hard

Every song on each one
Meant the world to someone
Like you meant the world to me
But I loved you more
Than all of those love songs
I sold all those songs
To buy you a hat

You looked so fine in a hat
And I′d seen just the one
In a very fine shop
The deal was nearly done
You knew I had no money
You expected nothin'
But it was your birthday
And I wanted to give you something


Something above our station
Some kind of sweet elation
I wanted service
Tissue paper wrapped
And maybe a box
For such a fine hat

So with a sinking heart
I loaded up my black treasure
And set off up the hill
The man behind the counter
Sure saw me comin'
He knew he had it all over me
He was used to girls
With more heart than money

So I handed over
Thirty fine records
I′ll give you fifty bucks he said
I almost shook my head
Before I bit my lip
And took the golden chip
And tried not to trip

He knew he′d make a killing
When I walked away with my shilling
Oh my, thirty records
Five songs a side
Sixty times five
Three hundred songs
I knew I'd write you far more than that
Not a bad trade for a lucky fisherman′s hat

So I got on the bus
With a heart full of joy
And imagined your face
When the gift came unwrapped
The surprise, the embrace
Oh, I saw you strutting round
My hat your only crown