Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin
Somebody took it on a dare in the night-time
Run up to the radio, calling out to the wind
Now, bring it, bring it back at least an hour before flight time
It was a souvenir, but it was a right arm missing
Swap a woodwork rhythm for a humbucking top line

Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band
A little slow in the brain box, but he had a quick right hand
Run left, run right --- everywhere he look ---
nobody watching, no, but that was
all he took last night

Running on the power of a stolen mandolin
Steal a little inspiration Steal a little muscle
Will he wake in the morning, wondering --- was it really worth it?
So make a little deal, Yeah, make a little hustle

Ringing on the radio --- got a proposition for those English boys
I'll make the sing-song --- you can make the background noise
One, two, three, four --- one bar and in
Give you back the mando, if you'll let this singer sing tonight

Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin
Big Riff took it on a dare in the night-time
Now it's four o'clock, and we're waiting at the sound-check
Looking for a face staring in from the sunshine
We got two strong lawmen from the sheriff's office
They're going to lift Big Riff before he plays the first line

Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band
Yeah, help him on the stage now, put that microphone in his hand
Think hard, think right --- nothing in his mind ---
So Riff did a runner, but he left the mandolin behind