In '73 I got real sick
My world turned inside out
Thought I'd been crushed with a load of brick
Would I ever again fish trout?

I decided to go and see my doc.
I needed a body exam
He had a deceiving manner of talk
I never expected a scam

Two weeks later symptoms let up
The meds must have been working
"Take two pills with water in a cup
While your morning coffee is perking"

The Placebo Effect
Was a wonderful time
I never did suspect
Life could change on a dime

Six months later the telephone chuckled
I heard a discouraging sound
My legs went weak and my knees buckled
I collapsed and fell to the ground

The girl said I was part of a study
Improvements were all in my mind
The doc. pretended to be my buddy
Just to see what they could find

The Placebo Effect
Was a terrible crime
I never did suspect
Life to change on a dime

I never should have answered the phone that day
I may not have been getting better
But I sure felt that way