Songtext The old dope peddler Tom Lehrer

The old dope peddler

You are no doubt familiar with songs about the old lamplighter and the old umbrella man and the old garbage collector and all these lovable old characters who go around spreading sweetness and l
To their respective communities. but, its always seemed to me that there is one member of this happy band who does an equally splendid job, but who has never been properly recognized in song or
Y, and this is an attempt to remedy, at least in part, that deplorable situation.

When the shades of night are falling,
Comes a fellow evryone knows,
Its the old dope peddler,
Spreading joy wherever he goes.
Evry evening you will find him,
Around our neighborhood.
Its the old dope peddler
Doing well by doing good.

He gives the kids free samples,
Because he knows full well
That todays young innocent faces
Will be tomorrows clientele.
Heres a cure for all your troubles,
Heres an end to all distress.
Its the old dope peddler
With his powdered ha-happiness.