[Verse 1]
Before I went to jail
When I was sayin' that I was free
You was lined up down the avenue
Just about as far as I could see
You got one eye on my dungarees
And another on my reviews
And a third one on the waitress
She was straightenin' up the pews

[Chorus]
She was passin' around a basket (Mercy)
She was wipin' off the spoon
She was readin' the handwritin' on the moon
(Handwritin' on the moon)

[Verse 2]
You call yourself a handyman
You can do anything with your hands
Tellin' me about your family
Tellin' me about your plans
Yeah, well I ain't got the belly for this
And you ain't got the brains
And if you emptied out all of your pockets, honey
You could not make the change
[Chorus]
She keeps passin' around that basket (Mercy)
You keep droppin' in your dues
Instead of readin' the handwritin' on the moon
(Handwritin' on the moon)
(Oh yeah)

[Verse 3]
Mine sure ain't the belly
And I know yours ain't the brains
And if you emptied out all your pockets, honey
You could not make the change
If you emptied out all of your pockets, baby
You could not make the change (Could not make the change)