Words and Music by Doc Barlow (Jonathan Barlow).

Recorded at home in Starkville, Mississippi.

Lyrics:

Don’t know how you stayed so tough 
Don’t know when you got so sane 
If I were you, I would do almost anything 
To get that jock out of my brain 
Don’t know if you know my name 
Don’t know if you’ll ever be mine 
I have to think that your wink means 
Nice guys get the girl, some of the time 
CHORUS 
Take a Chance on a Bookish Southern Man 
He reads Faulkner and says “please” and “yes, ma'am” 
Take a ride with a Bookish Southern Man 
You’ll never touch a door handle again. 
A Seersucker Suit 
and a Pair of White Shoes 
Civility is his 
Core identity 
I don’t know if you ever been kissed 
On the square in Oxford Miss 
I’ll take you there in the fall 
When the air smells like burning leaves 
and college football 
We’ll take a pilgrimage to Rowan Oak 
We’ll go to Sardis Lake and rent a boat 
After that I will give you a come hither look 
at a table in the back of Square Books 
CHORUS 
Take a Chance on a Bookish Southern Man 
He reads Welty and eats okra and ham 
Go for a walk with a Bookish Southern Man 
You’ll never have to touch a doorknob again. 
Grew up with the blues 
and John Kennedy Toole 
he knows how to please 
and feels noblesse oblige 
Grew up with the blues 
and wears white suede shoes

Bookish Southern Man

I make music at home by a noisy street with an acoustic guitar, telecaster, p-bass, a decent microphone, and a Mac. I live in Starkville, MS (USA).

Bookish Southern Man

Jon Barlow (Doc Barlow)