if i never have a nickel

Kris Kristofferson’s song “To Beat the Devil” popped up on the iPod the other day and the lyrics really struck me, particularly the last parts:

And you still can hear me singing to the people who don’t listen
To the things that I am saying, praying someone’s going to hear;
And I guess I’ll die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, hoping someone’s going to care.

I was born a lonely singer and I’m bound to die the same
But I’ve got to feed the hunger in my soul;
And if I never have a nickel I won’t ever die of shame
’cause I don’t believe that no-one wants to know!

(full lyrics for those that want to read them)