Billy Pilgrim Blues.mp3 Track

In 1986, my band The Consumers put out a tape "Blue Light Special." One of the song was "Billy Pilgrim Blues," a song based on a character in my favorite writer Kurt Vonnegut's book Slaughterhouse Five. On a whim, I sent a copy of the tape to Vonnegut's publisher. Sometime later, I received a letter from Kurt. He enjoyed the song and commented on my lyrics. It was my proudest moment as a songwriter. This is a reimagined, more pop version, rendered with the help of AI. No lyrics have been changed from the version Vonnegut approved of.

I've got the Billy Pilgrim Blues
Because I know exactly what I'm gonna do
I know exactly where I've been
With no free will there is no sin

Everybody skips all the time
Billy did it both ahead and behind
Time doesn't pass it only flows
If you pay attention you can see where it goes

I've got the Billy Pilgrim Blues
I know exactly what I'll do
I know exactly where I've been
With no free will there is no sin

And I don't know what it's all for
But I ain't never been to Tralfamador
I'm just the sum total of my thoughts right now
When Spot barks he goes bow-wow

I've got the Billy Pilgrim Blues
I know exactly what I'll do
I know exactly where I've been
With no free will there is no sin

I haven't ever fought in a war
Do they still have those things anymore?
If you feel sorry for Edgar you don't understand
Everything goes according to plan

I've got the Billy Pilgrim Blues
I know exactly what I'll do
I know exactly where I've been
With no free will there is no sin

Now I live in a dome
It's where I call my home
Billy lives just over there
He'll die soon but doesn't care