Friend of the Buddha

(Sung to the tune of 'Friend of the Devil' by the Grateful Dead (Ha! Ha!)

I lit out from Delhi I was trailed by twenty cows
didn't get to sleep that night
'til the Buddha showed me how

(chorus)Set out runnin' but I take my time
friend of the Buddha is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
Just might get some sleep tonight

Ran into the Buddha, baby, he loaned me to the Sangha
spent the night in Varanasi
in a guest house by the Ganga

(chorus)

Ran down to the burning ghat
but the Buddha caught me there
taught me about impermanence
and he vanished in the air

(chorus)

(bridge) Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night
first one is attachment
for it's my heart's delight
Second is aversion, baby, wild pig's on my trail
and if he catches up with me
I'll surely start to wail

Went to the stupa in Sarnath, baby, and the one in Bodhgaya, too
first turning of the wheel of Dharma
and the one where the Bodhi tree grew

(chorus)

(Apologies for all incorrect Buddhist references and to Deadheads everywhere... corrections, additions and backup vocals and instruments gladly accepted... e-mail me at 'rtnewt@pacbell.net' if you are interested in joining the Bodhgaya Blues Band...)