• Two Gallants
• the deader
• miss meri
• the hand that held me down
• trembling of the rose
• reflections of the marionette
• ribbons round my tongue
• despite what you've been told
• fly low carrion crow
• my baby's gone

the deader. so now let me tell you about this girl of mine heart like all men’s dreams in the days of 49 i turn hollow no me more swallow this fast only she breaks but distance keeps her miles or meters what difference does it make ‘cause here they come again to repossess my dreams child don’t play yourself things are never what they seem a bridge a river a pale moon sliver city shines so bright but to my despair i wake up where they sleep out every night the girl i love is oh so far away and i wonder can she hear me as i go through my day oh now the bleating sea she laps upon my door i’ll round a thousand horns just to drown upon her shore blood red roses go down moses oh billowing sails those so weak-willed guts all sea-filled throw them o’er the rails boys tighten up the jib and sing a hearty song we been driftin’ driftin’ for far too long i take no care me i’m so bare-breasted on the bow scabbed and weathered skin of leather who’s the deader now the girl i love is oh so oh so far away i wonder can she hear me as i go through my day its so long lady angel i guess i’ll say goodbye but i do believe i’m aging right before your eyes wash up on her coast not a nickel to my name sold my sold my sold my gold watch and chain enough to hire a band of lyres to march me on my way through hills and valleys sugar ditch alleys up to her hingeless gate the girl i love is oh so oh so far i away i wonder can she hear me as i go through my day its so long lady angel i guess i’ll say goodbye but i do believe i’m aging right before your eyes cock crow in the morning heard it loud and clear i ask her for to marry she answer with a tear boy you have my heart and i know you always will but that ain’t enough to hold me cause love don’t pay the bills i turned away in shame for all my days in vain guess i’ll just drag on no one loves you till you’re gone let the river be my guide let the desert be my bride till my heart turns to steel till I no longer feel that the girl i love is oh so oh so far away i wonder can she hear me as i go through my day its so long lady angel i guess i’ll say goodbye but i do believe i’m aging right before your eyes

miss meri. i went down an empty lane searching for a song came back an empty man my whiskers they hung long well i guess i am your native son despite my queer disguise but i keep all i can call my own in the bags beneath my eyes oh miss meri don’t despair we got ways to numb your pain same old story: blood sweat glory i just hope all your trials weren’t in vain to all my so-called country men who bless this stolen ground is jesus gonna pick you up when your hunger weighs you down mama come and save me nothing’s sacred anymore what good was living for i been wondering just who misplaced my soul there’s pockets in my holes way out on the open plains men pave beneath the sun the great suburban dawn if you build it they will come oh miss Meri don’t despair we got ways to numb your pain same old fable: three legged table i just hope all your trials weren’t in vain

the hand that held me down. oh the razor in your apple the affection of your glove the prison of your company the snake oil of your love the leash by which you drag me the heights that hurl your scorn the trumpets play the livelong day but they blow so forlorn did you hold the hand that held me down did you laugh at my expense when there’s rust upon your ragged crown who will stand at your defense when i unveiled my weakness on your rodeo of tears you stood there so vacantly your fingers in your ears and you left by the morning with all that’s left to steal but every time you say farewell there’s breadcrumbs at your heals did you kiss the hand that held me down was your kindness just pretense when there’s no one left for you to clown who will stand at your defense but its ashes lord its ashes why must we all fall down you take your place among the saints make not a single sound and on the hills that held our childhood the flowers they grow still you lay beneath them pushing weeds and i guess you always will could you be the hand that held me down when i was sick with common sense now your statuettes are all torn down now your innocence is spent and ever since your epitaph was splattered on my wall no one comes to call they can’t stand the stench but i still sing your praises every time the curtain calls the burden on me falls yes i alone stand at your defense

the trembling of the rose. why must it come to this you disowned me with a kiss another number on your list guess that’s me but oh no what have i done another fool blind by the sun now which way shall i run aimlessly but look out now i can’t see straight just woke up and its getting late and i’m just as full of hate as i used to be but in the hour of my demise i’ll recall your empty eyes you know i died the day you set me free what good is livin’ for when there’s no knock on the door no shelter from the war against me but if you comfort me till dawn i’ll sing your lonesome song pack my things and i’ll get gone vagrantly but with your high heels and your mace you tell me i’m out of place rip my eyes out of my face with ease and if i had one inch of pride you took that too when you said goodbye you know i died the day you set me free well i dreamt of you last night and i woke to curse my life good god i’m sick of sight can’t you see but i must remain composed ‘neath the trembling of the rose but you left me so exposed faithlessly but who knows what is right or wrong i’ll paint your death and carry on no i don’t belong that’s plain to see i guess i’ll take your stress in stride the hill is steep the water’s wide you know i died the day you set me free

reflections of the marionette. call the dogs and sound the horns the city key of where i’s born has been stolen by someone i thought i knew she blew in with some angel dust from southern state where love is lust and i hope she’s gone by the time this song is through but out among the passers by she wets her lips sweats her eyes baits her tongue with pity for her prey she transcends the avenue while she smiles at me she winks to you i guess i’ll take my place in yesterday and darlin' i cant wait for you to leave this town you just got here too late and no one wants you ‘round with one foot on my back and the other on the rail i don’t want to see you fall i just want to see you fail well the night is sweet the night’s divine it stains your teeth with blood red wine and leaves you lying in your enemy’s arms and while you mumble down the hall something ‘bout a skin made wall you find you’re just a sucker for her charms ‘cause the vanity that cakes her face sucks you into death’s embrace you feel your sense of self just fade away see you’re just a one man show and once you’re done its time to go hear some restless footsteps down the way now the youth protests the failing light with his shirt sleeves rolled in the humid night he wonders where it was that he went wrong and in denial while he ascends to her lofty room where all dreams end he watches while his footsteps lead him on but his turn comes the next in line the well worn steps he slowly climbs to find her lying meat-hooks on display and in the streets the sirens sing what word they tell what news they bring the puppet in his cuffs of string obeys

ribbons round my tongue. oh lady fair your stranglin’ hair raps round my tongue i try to speak but my thoughts grow weak for all the yarns you’ve spun i heard them say that evil may walk in beauty’s shoes and if ever i could love myself then i’ll stop loving you were you out the other night flirting with all my friends i heard you told a joke or two with my name at the end hurry home i sit in stone tell me it just ain’t true but if ever i could love myself then i’ll stop loving you when you’re gone i’ll carry on t’was (t’was?)never meant to last and i’d much prefer to sit alone and drink about the past or so i say some how some way till i believe its true that if ever i could love myself then i’ll stop loving you this illness lord it chills me so the shadows closing in but it feels quite nice to your chest of ice so i’ll let the darkness win and at dawn i wakes with the bloody shakes to begin each day anewand if ever i could love myself than i’ll stop loving you

despite what you’ve been told. well i guess by the blood stain of your lips and the wander of your fingertips i should prove true to my ruthlessness and stay here but i’m just a kid of ill repute and the skin i wear’s my only suit and you you’re just a substitute for the one that i hold dear you know you could be anyone god forgive my tasteless tongue i never should have been set free i claw my eyes i skin my face beg somehow to be replaced that’s how we deal with boys like me well i guess for this world so sick with loss and those who dream despite the cost i should climb down off my rugged cross and lay with you but you know by now it's half past late and i only came here for escape you you’re just my next mistake like me to you you know you could be anyone god forgive your unborn sons i hope they don’t end up like me i drag my mind through streets of shame hate myself forgive the game that’s how we deal with boys like me but despite what you’ve been told i once had a soul left somewhere behind a former friend of mine and i hate to speak so free but you mean nothing to me so if the street lights they shine bright i’ll get home tonight i guess by the dim light in your eyes and that to you all things come as a surprise i should set the steel trap of your thighs and dive right in but to you i’m just a confused child insecure or in denial go raise your robes and hold your trial i’ll let you win you know i could be anyone god forgive what i should’ve done my thoughts enough to guilty be yes i guess i made this bed but i’ll take the sidewalk instead that’s how we deal with boys like me but despite what you’ve been told i once had a soul left somewhere behind a former friend of mine and i hate to sound so true but i mean nothing to you so if the street lights they shine bright i’ll get home tonight

fly low you carrion crow. fly low you carrion crow and seize my body for the debt i owe drop me high unto the depths below for the things i’ve dreamed no one else should know its just me and you and our ribcage brains we polish the brass and we dust the panes and lay down fallow like slaveless chains they call us sick as though they’re all so sane fly low you carrion crow and seize my body for it lives no more the weight is long and its far to go and the things i’ve seen no one else should know old crone in your zip-lock shawl were you once the fairest among them all now you've sunk so low there’s no more depth to fall but the gift of youth will soon betray us all fly low you carrion crow and seize my body for to free my soul i don't deny what i can't control for the things i’ve done no one else should know what speak you of a love so bold no song could sing no word could hold well i’ll tell you now of an end foretold and a life long wait for death’s parole fly low you carrion crow and take me back to something that i once did know it's not for you that my story's told for i don’t tell nobody what they should know

my baby’s gone. my baby breaks by the sea floats her arms around me where they pretend to be free she don’t mean nothin’ to me this broken opera just screams what don’t get said in my dreams don’t need no shoulders to lean still i feel far too clean my baby’s beauty explodes my wounded conscience unloads i go where cold winds don’t blow i go where nobody goes but now my wave breaks down on me whole world seems out to sound me i’ll drown no one to show me can’t swim i lost my floaties my baby’s gone.

• Scenery of Farewell
• seems like home to me
• lady
• up the country
• all your faithless loyalties
• linger on

seems like home to me. baby let your light shine on me when i’m lost on the road you could set me free you could ease my load but days get so dark that i can’t hardly see and i been gone so long it seems like home to me when i was young of age i took you for my world the oceans were your eyes the pastures were your curls but now i’m all alone stranded in the west and were you sleep tonight i can only guess baby let your light shine on me when i’m lost on the road you could set me free you could ease my load but there’s something over the hills you know i gotta see i been gone so long it seems like home to me i gave you all i got told you all i know but you want something i’m not so its time for me to go but when a sparrow needs its rest it takes the nearest tree and if i pass back this way can i still light on thee baby let your light shine on me when i’m lost on the road you could set me free you could ease my load see there’s something that i lack that just won’t let me be and i been gone so long it seems like home to me

lady.once when i was daily growin’ dressed in red from head to toe and you were all the thoughts i’s knowin’ and the sun gave shine no care the season while i learned my one two threes and you came in to teach me treason now i spend my each day busy jumpin’ on the minstrel show searchin’ for a face i know and i just walk for hours down the red brick march of market street spend my each day in repeat lady she’s alright with me done borrowed all my empathy now you know she got the best of me cause she’s not lyin’ next to me all things fine sweet day beginning i got up and fell right in and climbed up to where you were livin’ and you stood in the back door yawnin’ in that cruel way that leads me on and you’re the reason i wake each mornin’ now sunshine plays the puddles through the mornings evenings afternoons i count my thoughts with coffee spoons and something reeks of heaven ‘neath the highway where the hobos sleep and laugh about the pains i keep lady she’s a friend of mine cause i know how to take me (my?) time but i can’t say that without lyin’ so i’ll try not to try next time i ain’t got no one to bear my burden though i could pay with sips of wine old men like me just tuck their shirts in too busy runnin’ out though we do our best to do with out still too busy runnin’ out of time lady i can’t take no rest with all this wait across my chest yesterday i love the best done borrowed too much happiness

up the country. it’s all down hill from here bottle up your fear my head’s a bit unsteady and i think you’d better steer see i’m north country bound gone but still renowned may not see my face no more so keep my picture round well once there was a youth i lead a fallacy i chased got so used to them somehow but now there’s criminals in my head who lead me to disgrace i’m so lost i best not get found though i’m much too weak to ride i’ll watch these hills but glide mama said i’m best off dead lord knows how hard i’ve tried incased my skull with clouds made my failure loud heard a teardrop hit the ground somewhere among the crowd but still i’m restless for the bed my tongue no longer tastes old aunt dinah lay me down but if there’s someone in my stead let him keep his place i’m not sure how long i’ll stick around well there’s a girl who knows my name how i wish i could explain just tell her that she’s at my side though at hers i can’t remain see i’ve seen salvations yard but every highwayman’s been barred some cheap box wine to ease my mind 101’s mighty hard so baby come hold my head there is no time to waste you know i think i’m sinkin’ down but i doubt you heard a word i said or looked into my face guess i’ll see you next time around

all your faithless loyalties. let this be our last goodbye no need to wonder why you never had the time to try no, don’t blame me and don’t let me down so slow damage done now you can go but a few things that you should know before you leave you can take this road of yours as something of a quest never from your pedestal descend i’m sure that you’ve seen better but for you i did my best you’ll go i’ll stay always ends the same way somewhere round the bend see i’ve known lonesome things you can’t come back from pray I never take you back again when the revolving door of alabam’ looks your way with vicious plans and swears she always cleans her hands no don’t give in cause when the miles are far between something in your conscience screams of lipstick on a guillotine when the dawn caved in and don’t you never think of me as one among the rest i got little else left to defend i’m sure that you’ve seen better but for you i did my best but sometimes nighttime brings you back again and i curse that western wind cause i’ve known lonesome things you cant come back from hope i never see your face again and in the streets of old juarez the daughters of hernan cortez break their bodies for their bread the strangest pain and dress themselves by candle light in lips of red in robes of white step out to pulverize the night can you complain and all the faithless loyalties that decorate your chest will they bring you comfort in the end i’m sure that you’ve seen better but for you i did my best but you’ll go i’ll stay always ends the same way justice you had planned but i’ve known lonesome and things you can’t come back from i knew we’d be strangers in the end

linger on. step out to clutch the evening air ‘straction from your disrepair and all of those who say they know walk the balustrade till dawn you won’t blink and you won’t yawn never let your weakness show though i keep your picture on the wall unplug the phone in case you call and dust collects upon the sill still you misplace all your faith in words as though you’ll ever feel assured if you don’t know you never will but no i never meant you any harm suffocating shelter of your arms if i let you down it wasn’t me but you who kept me round linger on linger on while you wilt beneath the cold rings of silver chains of gold cling like peasants to your skin and long to languish in your room spent your sympathies too soon on all the songs of seraphim so sip your cigarettes and tea be sure you never think of me when your vanities unload and in case your beauty makes you weep for what you touched but couldn’t keep for what you had but couldn’t hold but no i never meant you any harm suffocating shelter of your arms if you should feel betrayed it wasn’t me but you who made me stay linger on linger on well i’ll take your convalescent dreams patch the wounds and sew the seams get you ready for the fall but should you miss me when i’m gone girl your memory serves you wrong you never needed me at all but you can miss the hollow of my hand and all the lives that we had planned all the jealousies you sold and i’ll take back the youth you can’t repay all the hours i gave away and all the lies i never told but no i never meant you any harm suffocating shelter of your arms and if i did you wrong it wasn’t me but you who wrote this song linger on linger on

• What The Toll Tells
• LAS CRUCES JAIL
• STEADY ROLLIN’
• SOME SLENDER REST
• LONG SUMMER DAY
• THE PRODIGAL SON
• THRENODY
• 16TH ST. DOZENS
• AGE OF ASSASSINS
• WAVES OF GRAIN

LAS CRUCES JAIL. WELL I SPENT LAST NIGHT IN LAS CRUCES JAIL. RAIN AND HAIL. BORN TO FAIL. NOBODY COME FOR TO GO MY BAIL. SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. GUESS I KILLED ONE MAN ON THE COUNTY LINE. TOOK HIS DIME AND I BLEW HIS MIND. NOW I’M JUST SITTIN’ HERE DOIN’ TIME. SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. A RESTLESS WIND IS WHISTLING THROUGH THE CANYONS, THROUGH MY HEAD, THROUGH ALL THE STRAITS THAT I’VE SURVIVED. AND IN MY HOUR OF DARKNESS I KEEP COUNSEL WITH THE DEAD, JUST ENOUGH TO REMIND ME I’M ALIVE. I WROTE TO THE GOVERNOR FOR TO HEAR MY PLEA BUT HE DON’T EVEN ANSWER ME. THE JUDGE SAID HE’S BOUND TO SET MY SPIRIT FREE. SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. GAVEL FELL, HE CHOSE THE DAY, FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH OF MAY. BUT I DON’T PLAN TO GO THAT WAY. SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. THAT’S TWENTY-ONE FELL BY MY GUN, WITH BULLETS IN THEIR BRAINS. JUST NEED ONE MORE TO MATCH MY AGE. THEN I’LL COUNT MY KILLIN’ DONE BUT I WON’T DENY MY NAME: QUICKEST WRIST OF THE CHAPARRAL AND SAGE. NOW DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEN, I’M JUST A KID BUT I’LL PRETEND. MY TIME WILL COME BUT UNTIL THEN, SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. BUT I SEE THAT GALLOWS ALTAR, THAT CIRCLE ‘ROUND THE SUN. THEY’LL HANG ME IF I STAY HERE, SHOOT ME IF I RUN. THAT JAILER BETTER WATCH HIS PRIDE OR OFF MY WRISTS THESE SHACKLES SLIDE. HEAR MY RESTLESS FORTY-FIVE. SUN DON’T YOU RISE NO MORE. AND DOWN THE VALLEY, DOWN THE ROAD, TO INFAMY I’LL RIDE. I’LL TAKE MY PARDON ON THE RUN, WITH A TRAIL OF DEATH BEHIND ME AND DELUVINA AT MY SIDE, TWO SILHOUETTES AGAINST THE SUN. [EPILOGUE: GOODNIGHT MY ANDALUCíA. DON’T BUY ALL THE LIES THAT THEY FEEDYA. AND WHILE YOU’RE HEADING SLOWLY TO SOME PLACE I CANT RESPECT, I’LL KEEP YOU IN MY COLLECTION OF REGRETSæDUERME BIEN, QUERIDO.]

STEADY ROLLIN’. YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN ME ‘NEATH THE POOL HALL LIGHTS. WELL BABY I GO BACK EACH NIGHT. IF YOU GOT A THROAT I GOT A KNIFE. STEADY ROLLIN’ I KEEP GOIN’. I DON’T MIND HOW QUICK THE SEASONS CHANGE. YOU KNOW TO ME THEY’S EVERY ONE THE SAME. I SEEN THE SUNSHINE DRIP THE DRAIN. DEATH’S COMIN’. I’M STILL RUNNIN’. MY LOVIN’ LADY SHE’S A BALL-AND-CHAIN. I STILL CAN TRAVEL BUT MY SPEED HAS CHANGED. I BRING THE MONEY. I TAKE THE BLAME. STEADY ROLLIN’ I KEEP GOIN’. BUT I SHOT MY WIFE TODAY, DROPPED HER BODY IN THE FRISCO BAY. I HAD NO CHOICE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY. DEATH’S COMIN’. I’M STILL RUNNIN’. OUT WALTZING WITH THE HOLY GHOST, FROM THE BOWERY TO THE BARBARY COAST. THE PLACE I’M FROM YOU KNOW I LOVE THE MOST. STEADY ROLLIN’ I KEEP GOIN’. AND EVERYDAY IS JUST ANOTHER TOWN. THE MORE I SEARCH YOU KNOW THE LESS I’VE FOUND. ME, I’M A SUCKER JUST A SLAVE TO SOUND. DEATH’S COMIN’. I’M STILL RUNNIN’. WELL I COME FROM THE OLD TIME BABY, TOO LATE FOR YOU TO SAVE ME. IF I REMAIN THEN I’M TO BLAME. BUT IF YOU SHOULD EVER LEAVE ME, I’LL GO WHERE ‘ER YOU LEAD ME. ITS ALL THE SAME, THE SAME OLD GAME.

SOME SLENDER REST. MAMA GO MAKE MY BED. TUCK IN THE ABSURD. THESE CONFESSIONS ARE MINE BUT I’LL CLAIM NOT A WORD. IT’S A RESTLESS PARADE THAT PASSES ME BY, AND THROUGH THE CRACKS IN MY PALM I’VE SEEN THEM ALL GONE: SOME SEQUENCE OF LIVES. SHE CALLS OUT ALONE WITH A PAIN IN HER VOICE. IT’S THE WOUND OF BETRAYAL, ITS THE WEAPON OF CHOICE THAT LEFT HER HEART ON DISPLAY: TWO TATTOOS OF SKIN, ONE OF ICE ONE OF TIN, FOR THE DAYS HAVE GONE BY. BUT I AIN’T ONE TO REMINISCE. CLOSE MY HEART AND CLENCH MY FIST. NOW THE DAYS SWIFTLY PASS WITH A CHESTFULL OF FEAR. HERE THE MINUTES ARE OURS BUT THE MOMENTS ARE YOURS. AND OLD ACQUAINTANCES PASS, IN TRIOS IN PAIRS. IF THEY STAY OR THEY GO, ONE STRUGGLES TO KNOW, ONE STRUGGLES TO CARE. BUT OUT BEYOND THE PENITENTIARY WALLS, THE WIND BLOWS HARD, THE HIGHWAY CALLS. AND IF YOU SHOULD PASS THE ST. JAMES HOTEL, PLEASE STOP IN ‘CAUSE I KNEW YOU WELL. BUT THAT WAS OH SO LONG AGO. AND NO, I NEVER LEARNED HOW TO LET GO. BUT IF YOU FEAR YOUR OWN THOUGHTS AND YOU’RE SICK OF THIS LIFE. IF YOU’RE RECKLESS OF HAND AND TREMBLING A KNIFE, THOUGH YOUR DOORS PREFER LOCKS AND YOUR DEATH PREFERS SPOONS, COME STEP OUT YOUR GATE, ONE LAST LAUGH AT FATE, FOREVER IS TOO SOON. BUT IF I’M SICK OR IF I’M WELL, ACROSS THE FIELD THE DEATH BELL KNELLS, SO RUN AND TELL MY DARLING TRUE THAT MY DEATH IS SHORT, MY BREATH IS YOU. SO PLEASE COME DOWN AND TAKE MY HAND, MY LAST DEMAND. AND LEAD ME TO SOME SLENDER REST, BUT PLEASE DISMISS WHAT I CONFESS.

LONG SUMMER DAY. ALL I’VE EVER KNOWN IS POOR. OWE MY SKIN TO THE COUNTRY STORE. DON’T OWN MY WALLS, MY ROOF, MY DOOR, AND HE TELLS ME I’M FREE. BUT WHY FIGHT THE WILL TO LIVE. HELL MIGHT TAKE BUT HEAVEN GIVES, THERE’S ONLY ONE SO I’LL FORGIVE. NO I AIN’T ONE TO GRIEVE. BUT THE SUMMER DAY MAKES A WHITE MAN LAZY. HE SITS ON HIS PORCH KILLING TIME. I’VE GOT TO WORK TO FEED MY WIFE AND BABY. I WORK SO GODDAMN HARD THAT IT’S A CRIME. WELL I WENT DOWN TO THE POLLING PLACE BUT THE WHITE MAN THERE JUST LAUGHED IN MY FACE. SAID, “BOY THIS AIN’T NO NIGGER’S RACE. YOU BEST GET ON YOUR WAY. “SIR I BELIEVE I’VE GOT THE RIGHT.” HE SAID, “YOU AIN’T GOT NOTHIN’ IF YOU AIN’T WHITE. AND I THOUGHT I SAID GET OUT OF SIGHT.” WELL WHAT WAS I TO SAY. THE SUMMER DAY MAKES A WHITE MAN LAZY. WHEN I WAS ABOUT THE AGE OF FIVE, I WATCHED MY DADDY BURNED ALIVE. THEY CUT HIM LOW AND THEY HUNG HIM HIGH, SWAYING IN THE BREEZE. BUT THE LAST WORDS I HEARD HIM SAY BEFORE THEY STOLE HIS LIFE THAT DAY WAS “FORGIVE THEM LORD, THEY’VE GONE ASTRAY. PLEASE TAKE ME TO MY EASE.” THE SUMMER DAY MAKES A WHITE MAN LAZY. WELL I DON’T KNOW BUT I HEARD TELL OF A FURNACE BELOW, A PLACE CALLED HELL AND WHO WOULD CATCH ME IF I FELL? WHO WOULD PRAY FOR ME? BUT ONE THING I SEE FOR SURE, ITS HOT AS HELL UP HERE I KNOW AND THE DEVIL LIVES RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. IT’S ALL THE SAME TO ME. ‘CAUSE THE SUMMER DAY MAKES A WHITE MAN LAZY. HE SITS ON HIS PORCH KILLING TIME. BUT THE SUMMER DAY MAKES A NIGGA’ FEEL CRAZY. MIGHT MAKE ME DO SOMETHING OUT OF LINE. WELL IF YOU SHOULD SEE MY WIFE TELL HER I WON’T BE HOME TONIGHT, SO DON’T LEAVE ON THE LIGHT. I’VE GOT A LITTLE BUSINESS DOWN THE ROAD. AND IF I’M DEAD BY SUNRISE KISS MY BABY GIRL FOR ME. IT AIN’T LIFE IF IT AIN’T FREE. I’VE GOT A MIGHTY BURDEN TO UNLOAD.

THE PRODIGAL SON. WELL I’VE BEEN A DISCLAIMER FOR TWENTY-FOUR YEARS. POOR MOTHER DROWNED IN A PILLOW OF TEARS. I’M WELL KNOWN IN STORY, FAMOUS IN SONG. THE BLACK SHEEP, THE BLEMISH, THE ONE WHO WENT WRONG. MY CRIME IS DISCOMFORT AND A MIND ILL AT EASE; OLD CROW ON MY SHOULDER, GENETIC DISEASE. MY SIBLINGS, MY RIVALS MIGHT TEND TO MY WAKE, BUT GRIEVE ME NOT BROTHERS, I’S MOTHER’S MISTAKE. AND ALL THE GRAND EXPECTATIONS OF AN EPOCH OF WEALTH LEAVES ME LONG TO CRAWL BACK TO THE WOMB. WELL I’VE TASTED YOUR GRACE PLACED IT BACK ON THE SHELF. DRAG YOUR PEDIGREE LIVES TO YOUR TOMB. WELL I CAME FROM THIS CITY A VICTIM OF PEACE BUT I’VE GROWN FAR TOO FILTHY TO ATTEND TO THE FEAST. SO I’LL TAKE TO THE HILLS TO LIVE SAVAGE AND FREE. I DON’T NEED NOBODY, NOBODY NEEDS ME. I DON’T NEED NOBODY, NOBODY NEEDS ME.

THRENODY. GATHER ‘ROUND YOU WOUNDED PEOPLE; SHADOWS FALL UPON THE STEEPLE. SOON SHALL COME THE CLOSING OF, THE CLOSING OF THE GATES. FOR THERE IS WORD OF PLAGUE AMONG US. CURSE THE ONE WHOSE POISON STUNG US. ALL ALONG THEY ALLEYWAYS THE SATYRS WAIT THEIR FATE. BUT WHO’S TO BLAME WHEN ALL ARE GUILTY; MORALS STAINED AND CONSCIENCE FILTHY, ABREAST YOUR IDOL REPLICAS, YOUR REPLICAS OF LUST. IN THE SKY I HEAR THE THRESHING. DARE TO WATCH YOUR LORD UNDRESSING. WHILE YOU BEG FORGIVENESS YOU FEED ON HIS DISGUST. BUT IF PERHAPS THE SALT MIGHT STAIN YOUR SKIN, AND IF PERHAPS THE SMOKE MIGHT WEEP YOUR EYES, LISTEN WHILE THE THRENODIES BEGIN. KNOW NO ONE IN HERE GETS OUT ALIVE. BUT LET YOUR FRAILTY NOT DECEIVE YOU; A LITTLE PINPRICK, REST RELIEVES YOU, AND DREAM OF ALL THE DAYS THAT ARE, THE YEARS THAT ARE TO COME. FOR YOU WILL DANCE AND YOU’LL BE NIMBLE_PIROUETTES UPON A THIMBLE_AND I WILL BE BESIDE YOU LEST I LOSE YOU ONCE AGAIN. BUT IF PERHAPS MY SORROWS ARE ALL SHOW AND I SHOULD FIND A CRACK AMONG THE GATES, GUILT SHALL FOLLOW ME WHERE EVER I GO. THOUGH I TRY I KNOW I CANT ESCAPE. AND WHEN YOU’RE GONE THE EARTH WILL CRUMBLE. I WILL TRY BUT I WILL STUMBLE AND ALL THROUGH THESE CITY STREETS MY ROBES SHALL DRAG THE GROUND. HEAR THE CHILDREN SWING WITH SORROW. YESTERDAY WAS ONCE TOMORROW. NO MORE I’LL BE TROUBLED BY THE TROUBLES OF THIS WORLD. BUT IF I LOSE MY STEP ALONG THE WAY, AND IF THE SPEECH OF VICTIM FILLS MY THROAT, OUT BEYOND THE CLIFFS THAT SHAPE THE DAY. IT’S THERE I’LL WANDER, THERE I’LL STRAY. IT’S THERE I’LL LOOK FOR YOU WHEN ALL MY TRIALS ARE DONE. I FEIGN TO SLEEP TO SAVE MY BREATH. THIS LOVE IS LOSS THIS LIFE IS THEFT, AND ALL THAT’S LEFT IS SOME VAIN NEED TO CARRY ON. AND THOUGH I FEAR THE TIGHTENING OF THE SKIES, AGAINST THE DAWN I’LL WATCH YOU RISE. OH LORD, THE COMPANY I KEEP WITHIN MY HEAD. THE SCENT OF FLESH MIGHT TEASE THE NOSE. IT CLAIMS THE CALM IT CLINGS THE CLOTHES. COULD THAT BE YOU MY LOVE, YOUR DUST UPON THE WIND?

16TH ST. DOZENS COPS AND JUNKIES HURL THEIR SOPHISTRIES. A.D.H.D. HAIL CACOPHONY. TRY NOT HARD TO SHAKE THIS OFF OF ME. HOWL YOU FOOLS, ITS ALL FOR NAUGHT. BUT ON 16TH ST. WE WAIT FOR HOLINESS. VACCINATE OURSELVES FROM LONELINESS. MASQUERADE THROUGH HOMES OF HOMELESSNESS. AND OH I HOPE WE’LL NOT GET OVER THIS. HEAR THE NOW IS NOW UPON US. EVERYONE MUST SHARE THIS ONUS. ANCIENTS HAVE NO MORE TO LONE US. ALL OUR DEBTS UNPAID. ON 16TH ST. WE RISE IN NUMBERS ONCE A NAME NOW JUST A NUMBER. SCREAM FOR ALL THE UNSAID, UNHEARD PRISONERS ON PARADE. SWEET DOLORES MI MAMASITA. SEEMS EACH DAY I STILL REMEETYA. DISCULPAME MI POBRECITA. GUESS I LEFT THINGS INCOMPLETE. BUT ALL THIS NOISE WILL SOON BE OVER SO DRINK UNTIL YOU’RE HALFWAY SOBER. RED ROVER’S ALREADY OVER BUT THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED IS CLOSURE. NOW IT’S TIME FOR US TO SWALLOW ALL THIS LOSS UNTIL TOMORROW. PAYBACK ALL THE TIME WE’VE BORROWED. ANGER WELL DISPLAYED. ON 16TH ST. WE FALL IN NUMBERS NO ONE QUESTIONS. NO ONE WONDERS. SCREAM FOR ALL THE UNSAID, UNHEARD HOODLUMS ON PARADE.

AGE OF ASSASSINS WHEN THE SUMMER SUN COMES CUTTIN’ LIKE A NEW RAZOR BLADE AND I WAKE TO THE DAY AND ALL THE VISIONS I’VE MADE, REACH OUT MY HAND FOR THE CURL OF HER HAIR AND WHISPER MY DREAMS TO THE GIRL WHO’S NOT THERE; BUT LAYING IN HER STEAD, THE SWEATER SHE WORE LONG AGO, THAT I LAY ON MY BED EACH NIGHT BEFORE TO DREAMS I GO. BUT IT’S GROWN A BIT TATTERED AND IS RIDDLED WITH HOLES. QUITE LIKE MY AMBITION, MY VISION, MY GOALS. SO I PUT ON MY FACE AND FIX ME A DRINK ‘CAUSE SOMEWHERE SOMEONE KNOWS JUST WHAT I THINK. EACH NIGHT’S BUT A QUESTION THAT HANGS LIKE A NOOSE AROUND MY THROAT. BUT SURELY TONIGHT I’LL INVITE ITS ABUSE. THERE’S NO HOPE. BUT OH MY, SOMEHOW I STILL MIGHT GET BY. GET THROUGH ALL THE PAINS I FAKE. POOR BOY COULD USE A BREAK, A BREAK FROM THE DAILY GAME SHOW. “PAIN IS SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE KNOWS.” THAT’S WHAT I HEAR THEM SAY. SO WARILY I WALK AWAY. AND I TAKE TO THE STREETS LIKE THE DEAD TO THE GRAVE AND LIGHT ME A SMOKE ‘CAUSE ITS RIGHT TO BEHAVE. AND I’M ALL JUICED UP ON MORNING ‘CAUSE MORNING IS WHEN HEROES STAND TALL IN THE STATUES OF MEN. AND ALL THE PIGEONS ADORE ME AND PECK AT MY FEET, OH THE FAME. AND SOMEDAY THEY MAY USE MY HEAD AS A SEAT. WELL I CANT WAIT æWHEN I DIE, LORD, BURY ME DEEP. WAY OUT WEST PAST SUNSET STREET, SO I CAN HEAR OLD 29 AS SHE GOES ROLLIN’ BY; AND WHEN THEY COME TO CLAIM MY SKIN AND I GO BACK WHERE I BEGAN, WITH A JUG OF PUNCH AT MY HEAD AND FEET, TELL THEM ALL I’VE GONE TO SLEEPæAND AS THE CITY UNRAVELS HER METAL BED ROLL I DIRTY HER STREETS WITH THE STUMBLE I STROLL. AND THE PEOPLE ALL STOP JUST TO WATCH ME GO BY WITH A THIRST IN MY THROAT AND A TEAR IN MY EYE. SO RIDDLE ME THIS WHILE I LEND YOU MY SOUL IN A SONG, AND SHOULDER THE SKY IN THESE TROUBLES OF MINE UNTIL THE DAWN.

WAVES OF GRAIN WHO HAS BETRAYED THE DECEASED? SUCH AN INFAMOUS FREEDOM, SUCH A MILITANT PEACE. HOW DARE THEY DISTRUST. DO THEY KNOW WHO WE ARE? YOUR PROGENY’S BRAVE, THEIR TRACT HOUSING WAITING, PRE-PLUCKED AND PRE-PAVED: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, SWEET SALVATION’S SCAR. BUT OH NO I SEE THEM FALLING. LET’S ALL PRAY FOR RAIN. AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE REARED BY PANIC AND FEAR. BUT WHAT WHEN ALL YOUR FIELDS ARE ROTTEN, YOUR WAVES OF GRAIN, AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN? YOUR WORK IS YET DONE: INBREED US ‘TILL WE’RE ALL THE SAME. YOUR COLLECTION OF TONGUES YOU KEEP FRAMED IN YOUR PARLOR WITH YOUR BIBLES AND GUNS, THE FETUS OF CHRIST WITH A FISTFUL OF SCARS. AND YOUR VISION IS CLEAR WHILE YOU BLIND YOUR OWN KIND BEHIND A CURTAIN OF FEAR, YOUR WORDS TWISTED SKYWARDS DISTRACTED BY MARS. BUT OH NO THE SKY IS FALLING. LET’S ALL PRAY FOR RAIN. YOU POUR OUT YOUR PRAYERS AND WEEP ‘CAUSE YOU CARE. BUT WHAT WHEN ALL YOUR FIELDS ARE ROTTEN, YOUR WAVES OF GRAIN, AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN? AND YOU HIDE THE DEAD WHILE MY FRIENDS HEAD TO DIE IN YOUR NAME. “THIS PLAYGROUND IS YOURS,” SPOKE GOD WHEN YOU MET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, “GESTURE YOUR HANDS AND THE PAWNS SHALL SUBSIDE.” AND THOUGH YOU PLAY ALONE, YOU NEVER GET LONELY, YOU NEVER GET BORED. WHO NEEDS A FRIEND WHEN GOD’S ON YOUR SIDE? BUT OH NO I SEE THEM FALLING. LET’S ALL PRAY FOR RAIN. AND EVEN I CAN’T PRETEND THAT WE’RE NOT NEAR THE END. BUT WHAT WHEN ALL YOUR FIELDS ARE ROTTEN, YOUR WAVES OF GRAIN, AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN? WHEN YOUR DAYS ARE DONE, I HOPE YOU’VE HAD FUN WITH YOUR GAME. AND IT WAS WRITTEN AS FACT: BEHOLD A WHITE HORSE WITH YOU ON ITS BACK, A LONG DOZEN ARROWS LOCKED IN YOUR STARE. AND THE OCEANS SHALL RISE AND SLAP ON THE SHORES OF MOUNTAIN SIDES. GREAT WAVES OF PROGRESS SHALL WET THE AIR. BUT OH NO THE SKY IS FALLING. LET’S ALL PRAY FOR RAIN. AND YOU FOOLS IN THE BACK WITH YOUR HEADS IN YOUR HATS, WHAT WHEN ALL YOUR FIELDS ARE ROTTEN, YOUR WAVES OF GRAIN, AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN? AND MY WORDS WON’T BE DONE, THEY’LL NEVER BE DONE ‘TILL THE END.

• The Throes
• YOU LOSIN' OUT
• TWO DAYS SHORT TOMORROW
• NOTHING TO YOU
• CROW JANE
• FAIL HARD TO REGAIN
• THROES
• DRIVE MY CAR
• MY MADONNA
• TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN

YOU LOSIN OUT. CANT FORGET THE DAY YOU WALK AWAY.WHEN YOU COME BACK NEXT TIME YOU'RE HERE TO STAY. FOR THAT REASON I'M TELLIN' YOU, MAMA YOU LOSIN' OUT. IT WAS EARLY ONE MORNIN' YOU COME DRAGGIN' HOME. SAID, "FORGIVE ME DADDY FOR I DONE WRONG." MAMA YOU LOISIN' OUT. YOU LEFT THAT TIME AND YOU AIN'T GWINE LEAVE NO MORE CAUSE I'M PUTTING A LOCK ON MY BACK DOOR. MAMA YOU LOSIN' OUT. I FOLLOWED MY BABY TO HER BURYING PLACE. CAN'T GET ANOTHER RIDER TO TAKE YOUR PLACE. MAMA YOU LOSIN' OUT. YOU OUGHTA HEARD ME CRYIN' "BABY YOU'RE ALL I CRAVE" WHILE I WORTE YOUR WILL OUT UPON YOU'RE GRAVE. MAMA YOU LOSIN' OUT. BACK TO THE TOP

TWO DAYS SHORT TOMORROW. MY DARLING, MY DARLING ARE YOU AS COMOPOSED AS THE SPACE YOU FILL? YOU KNOW THERE'S LITTLE REASON TO DEMAND WHAT CAN'T BE GIVEN FROM THE TONGUES YOU KILL. YOU AIM YOUR THOUGHTS HOMEWARD AS IF YOU HAD A REASON TO BE GONE. YOU WERE SIRED BY SIRENS THEY TAUGHT YOU NOT TO TALK: ALL WORDS ARE EMPTY. BUT THEY LEANT YOU THEIR HATS, SCREAMING BRING BACK FROM THE OTHER SIDE SOME SYMPATHY. YOU SPARE NO TIME TO WONDER. WHEN YOU CALIM TO WON THE ANSWER WHY BE WRONG? SO YOU PUT ON YOUR PAINTED DRESS WHILE THE BERDACHE TAKES YOUR HAND AND TEMPTS YOU HOMEWARD. AND SO I'VE HEARD THAT YOU'VE GONE WRONG. BUT IS IT O.K. IF I THINK OF YOU? 'CAUSE YOU MIGHT JUST BE WHAT I'M COUNTING ON. JUST ONE MORE DAY THAT I MUST GET THROUGH. WELL YOU BREAK JUST LIKE THE MORNING ADN IF YESTERDAY DOONT KNOW YOU WELL WHO DOES THEN? IF YOU EVER SEEK ME OUT I'LL BE SOMEONE AMONG THE PEOPLE YOU CALL HAVE BEENS. WELL YOU'D LOVE TO BE A MARTYR BUT YOU'VE GOT NOTHING TO DIE FOR SO YOU WAIT AND WINTER TIME IS COMING YOU CAN FEEL THE COLD DRUM DRUMMING ONCE AGAIN AND I LOVE MY COUNTRY BUT I FEAR YOUR MOTHER. SHE'S GROWING OLDER OR SO THEY TOLD HER BUT FLOWERD WON'T REPLACE HER. YOU'RE MY SHEATH I'M YOUR RAPIER.

NOTHING TO YOU. WELL MY KIND'S BEEN AROUND FORVER, YET I CLAIM TO BE ONE OF THE FEW. AND THE LOST CLAUSE OF WORDS WALKS AWAY WITH MY NERVES 'CAUSE I'M GAY AS A CHOIR BOY FOR YOU. YOU GOT HAIR THAT RECALLS ME OF RIVERS, RUN SOFTLY WHILE YOU DREAM OF YOU. BUT YOUR HEART IS SO COLD THAT IS SHIVERS CAUSE ALL THAT I KNOW IS I'M NOTHING TO YOU. WELL I FOLLOWED YOU INTO THE PARTY THAT NO ONE INVITED ME TO BUT I GOT SO DAMN DRUNK AND RETARDED, I FELL DOWN THE STAIRS AND I FELL INTO YOU. BUT I WATCHED YOU FORGET YOUR BELONGINGS AND BELONGINGS YOU'VE GOT QUITE A FEW. AND I FILLED UP YOUR BAGS WIHT MY LONGINGS AND SEARCHED THROUGH THIS WHOLE WIDE CITY FOR YOU. BUT THE WALLS OF MY CHILDHOOD MUST CRUBMLE AND CHILDHOODS I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW. MY LOVE IS SO BLIND THAT IS STUMBLES BUT NOW IT DON'T TRIP OVER YOU. 'CAUSE I HEARD THAT YOU GOT YOU A LOVER, AND LOVERS YOU'VE GOT ONE OR TWO. BUT YOU CAN'T TELL ONE FROM THE OTHER, NOW MAMA, NOW YOU'RE NOTHING TO YOU. BACK TO THE TOP

CROW JANE. WELL CROW JANE DON'T MAKE NO SENSE TO ME. SHE LEFT ME SWINGING FROM THE POPLAR TREE. WELL NO I NEVER EVER FELT SO FREE. HEY LOOK AT MAMA WHAT YOU DOING TO ME. CAUSE IT AIN'T NO DIFFERENCE WHICH WAY I SMILE. I AIN'T GOOD LOOKIN' FROM A QUARTER MILE. ONCE HAD A WOMAN SHE CALL ME ANGEL CHILD. MY REPUTATION KEEPS ME ON TRIAL. NOW WHOSE GONNA SAVE ME FROM MYSELF. GOTTA LAY THE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE. BUT SOMEHOW I AIN'T GOT NO HOPE CAUSE I'M STILL RUNNIN' FROM THE SHERIFF'S ROPE. MY SHOES DON'T FIT ME CAUSE THEY FILLED WITH DOPE. CROW JANE QUITE ME AND I JUST CANT COPE. BUT ALL I KNOW IS THAT I'LL STILL RUN AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE SETTING SUN. I MUST HAVE LOST CAUSE CROW JANE WON. I'LL NEVER LEARN FROM ANYTHING I'VE DONE. WELL CROW JANE'S THE STRANGEST THINGS THAT EVER TALKED. LIPS OF HONEY BUT HER TONGUE'S OF CHALK. FEET MAY BE CROOKED BU SHE SURE CAN WALK. SHE TOOK MY MONEY LEFT ME IN SHOCK. GOS SO MANY MATCHES THAT IT MAKES ME SICK, SO MANY HABITS THAT I JUST CAN'T KICK, SO MANY WOMEN THAT I JUST CAN'T TRICK, BUT CROW JANE BURNT ME LIKE A CANDLE STICK. WELL CROW JANE AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A PITIFUL CASE. SHE LEFT ME SUCKIN' ON MY OWN DISGRACE. SHE'S OFF TRUCKIN' AT A CHEATIN' PACE AND A LAWLESS LIFE IS ALL I CAN EMBRACE. I'LL DRESS LIKE A PREACHER SO I CAN'T BE FOUND. CHASE CROW JANE FORM TOWN TO TOWN. I SMELL HER BRAIN SO SHE MUST BE ROUND. JUST LIKE MY PAIN WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN.

FAIL HARD TO REGAIN. ONCE I KNEW A RAILWAY GIRL HER AGE WAS SEVENTEEN. I GAVE HER ALL I HAD TO GIVE BUT THE BAGGAGE OF MY DREAMS. SHE STOLE ME FROM THE GAMES WE PLAY, SCORNED ME FROM MY MASK, AND IF SHE'S GONE SHE LINGER S ON. I BEG YOU PLEASE DON'T ASK, 'TWAS ON A DARK MARCH EVENING, SOUTHBOUND I DID RIDE. MY HEAD WAS OUT THE WINDOW WHEN I FOUND HER AT MY SIDE. ASKED WHERE I WAS GOING TO, I TOLD BUT WHERE I CAME. FOR THE JAILS IN WHICH I'VE DON MY TIME I FAIL HARD TO REGAIN. "DARK GIRL, DARK GIRL, IT KILLS ME SO TO WATCH YOU SO AFRAID. YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN REAL TO THOSE WHOM REALNESS SHOULD BE PAID." HER EYES GONE WIDE ALIVE SHE CRIED, "DOES PLEASURE EVER LAST?" "WE LIVE TO SEE BUT PATIENTLY, I BEG YOU PLEASE DON'T ASK." SHE TOOK ME IN DESPITE MY SINS, FED ME TEA AND SUCH. AND AS SHE FELL JUST LIKE A CHILD , I CRUMBLED 'NEATH HER TOUCH. I HELD MY BREATH AND FEARED TO WEEP FOR THE FRAGMENT'S OF MY BRIAN. SEE EACH DAY'S BUT A MOMENT THAT I FAIL HARD TO REGAIN. BUT AS IT GOES THE FIDDLER THROWS ALL VALUES TO THE STREET. WHOLE WORLD'S PAIN INSANES HIS GAZE, IMPATIENCES HIS FEET. EACH CAPTIVES OF THIS PALTRY TRADE, WE CURSE OUR MORTAL TASK,. FORGIVE US THROUGH WE ALL MUST GO AND WHERE TO PLEASE DON'T ASK. NOW I AM A MISSPENT MAN WHO KNOWS NOT WHERE HE'S BEEN. AND THOUGH SO SAPPED WITH SUFFERING, THE WORST IS YET UNSEEN. RENOUNCE MYSELF FOR FURTHER WEALTH, TO TAKE EACH BREATH IN VAIN. STILL HAUNTED BY THAT RAILWAY GIRL I FAIL HEARD TO REGAIN.

THE THROES. 'WELL DON'T KNOW IF I CAN TAKE THIS ANYMORE.' SHE IS THINKING AS HE SHOVES HER AGAINST THE WALL; SCREAMING, "WELL THEN WHAT GOOD ARE YOU FOR? YOU DON'T GIVE ME NO PLEASURE AT ALL." 'OH BUT NOW I KNOW I NEED TO LEAVE", SO SHE TELLS HERSELF AGAIN, SHE WIPES A LITTLE BLOOD UPON HER SLEEVE BUT SHE DON'T TELL HERSELF WHEN, BABY STARTS CRYING AND DADDY SITS BACK DOWN, SINKS ANOTHER DRINK TO BRING HIS TEMPER DOWN, HIS IMAGE THERE REFLECTING ON THE T.V. SCREEN REMINDS HER OF A BETTER DAY SHE THOUGHT SHE'D SEEN. BUT NOW TAKE YOUR TIME BEFORE YOU GRIEVE AND KEEP YOUR HEART HID UP YOUR SLEEVE 'CAUSE THERE AIN'T NO ONE BUT YOU DECEIVED, YOUR SYMPATHY IS SOON TO LEAVE. AND HIDE YOUR MOUTH BEFORE YOU SPEAK. BETTER YET JUST TURN A CHEEK. I WATCH YOUR INTEREST GROWING WEEK, YET STILL YOU SAY THAT I'M THE FREAK AND I GUESS THAT'S FINE WITH ME. 'I BET HE'S PROBABLY HAD A LONG LONG DAY.' SHE'S THINKING IN THE KITCHEN WHILE SHE WEEPS' PUTTING DINNER'S LEFTOVERS AWAY AS HE STUMBLES OFF TO BED AND THEN TO SLEEP. 'SURELY HE'LL BE BETTER COME THE DAWN WHEN I RISE TO COOK HIM BREAKFAST FOR HE GOES. HE WAKES WITHOUT A WORD AND THEN HE'S GONE. HE'S GOT THAT KIND OF LOVE THAT NEVER SHOWS. ' BABY STARTS WAILING AND DADDY COMES BACK OUT. "SHUT UP THAT CHILD!" SHE HEARS HIM SHOUT, AND CRADLED IN HER ARMS SHE TRIES TO CALM THE SOUND. " HOW AM I TO SLEEP?" HE SCREAMS AND SLAPS HER DOWN. WHEN SHE AWAKES HER HEAD DON'T CEASE TO PAIN. BODY'S BROKEN AND HER CLOTHES ARE TORN AWAY. STILL THE THREAT OF EMPTINESS REMAINS AS SHE STRUGGLES O HER FEET TO GET AWAY. 'OH NO. WHERE HAS MY CHILD GONE?" SHE SCREAMS AS SHE RUNS FORM ROOM TO ROOM. EVERY SOUND OF SILENCE LINGERS ON. NOT A SINGLE KICK INSIDER HER WOMB. WHEN HER MIND DROWNS INTO SHADOWS MAMA FALLS BACK DOWN, WHERE THE WALLS THAT SHAPE HER WORLD SEEM TALLER FROM THE GROUND. NO MORE BREATH TO SCREAM HER THROAT JUST DRIPS AWAYS. NO MORE LIFE TO LOSE AS IF THERE WERE TO SAVE.

DRIVE MY CAR. YOU DON'T LISTEN WHEN HE SAYS THAT YOU DON'T LOVE HIM FOR HIS BRAIN BUT FOR HIS HEAD. SO PRETTY , SO SAFE, AND SO MISREAD. YOU DON'T NEED THIS KID. COULD IT BE THIS KID? WHEN ALL THE HATE YOU THROW IS ALL YOU REALLY NEED TO CUT HIM FROM BELOW. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE GOT TICKETS TO THE SHOW. TO WATCH YOUR FACE GO RED. COULD IT BE THIS KID? BUT GIRL YOU SPEAK SO GOD DAMN DANGEROUS. COULD IT BE YOUR JUST LIKE THE REST OF US. THOUGH YOU TRY YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T ESCAPE FROM US. COULD IT BE THIS KID? WHEN ALL YOUR KNIGHTS HAVE COME; EACH AS GALLANT AND AS FAITHLESS AS THIS ONE. WILL HE BE NOTHING MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER ONE. YOU DON'T NEED THIS KID. COULD IT BE THIS KID? AND WHEN ALL THE BOOKS YOU'VE READ, DON'T DO NOTHING BUT TAKE SPACE UP IN YOUR HEAD. 'CAUSE EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS ANYTHING HE SAYS. YOU DON'T NEED THIS KID. COULD IT BE THIS KID? "IT'S HARD" SHE SAID, "MY FORTUNE'S BEEN QUITE HARD." "IT'S HARD" SHE SAID, " DON'T PLAY THAT VICTIM CARD." "IT'S STARS" SHE SAID, "THIS FATE IS CROSSED WITH STARS." "IT'S GARD" HE SAID, "IT'S THAT I'LL DISREGARD." "ITS JAR" HE SAID, "BUT I'LL LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR." "IT'S CAR" HE SAID, "CAUSE YOU COULD DRIVE MY CAR." "HAS THIS GONE MUCH TOO FAR?" SHE SAID. "HAS THIS GONE MUCH TOO FAR?" " I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE." AND JUST BEFORE YOU BREAK IN TWO ONE LAST THING HE'LL SAY TO YOU. ONE LAST THING THAT'S BEST UNHEARD. SHOULD IT BE UNSAID? I GAVE YOU MORE THAN YOU COULD TAKE. ALL IT PUT WAS MORE AT STAKE. YOU KEEP YOUR TROPHIES ON THE WALL BUT I'LL TAKE THE DOOR INSTEAD. CAUSE YOU DONT' NEED THIS KID.

MY MADONNA. YOUR VISION'S BEEN BLESSED IF I'M STILL FULLY DRESSED BUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE ME HERE'S ONE LAST REQUEST NO I DON'T CARE AND NO I DON'T MIND IF YOU DON'T HEAR A WORD FROM THIS BROKE HEART OF MINE BUT CAN I BORROW YOUR FACE JUST TO UNLOAD MY MIND. NO I KNOW I'M PATHETIC, ANOTHER SAGE OF ABSURD BUT I WON'T VIOLATE YOU WITH TOUCH BUT WITH WORDS HEARD THERE'S NO NEED TO ASK. SHUT YOUR MOUTH RAISE A GLASS BUT THE YOUTH THAT WE DRINK TO IS ALREADY PAST, AND THE BOY ON YOUR ARM, GIRL YOU KNOW HE WON'T LAST. MY MADONNA'S UNDRESSING HER ROBES ARE ALL TORN AND I SWEAR THAT SHE'S CALLING MY NAME BUT FOR ALL HER CARESSES MY SENSES ARE WORN AND SWEET LADY JUST DON'T TASTE THE SAME. I'LL DRINK JUST TO DRIVE IF MY LOVE DON'T ARRIVE. I DON'T WANT TO SURVIVE. I DONT' WANT TO SURVIVE WHEN ALL THAT I KNOW IS I SMILE JUST FOR SHOW AND NOBODY'S LISTENING BUT EVERYONE KNOWS. SO JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH WHILE MY MEMORY CORRODES. WELL I CURSE MY OWN COMFORT FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND 'CAUSE ITS DARK AS A DUNGEON WAY DOWN IN THE MIND. AND I WAKE ON THE FLOOR WITH MY COUNTRY AT WAR AND I WISH I COULD WEEP BUT MY LIVER'S TOO SORE. IF LIQUOR'S A LOVER YOU KNOW I'M A WHORE.

TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN. MY DADDY WAS A ROUNDER, HAD TO MAKE HIMSELF SOME CHANGE CLIMBED DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN, SHAVED HIS HEAD, AND CAUGHT A TRAIN. BUT I KEEP MY SKILLET GREASY, KEEP MY LAMP TRIMMED LOW. MY WEARY FEET THESE FLOORS I WALK BUT WHY I'LL NEVER KNOW. I HEAR ECHOES OF HIS HEART BEATING BACK FROM DISTANT LANDS AND I HEAR THE LONESOME WHISTLE OF THE TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN. NOW I CUDDLE TO MY CHILD TEACH HIM TO TO UNDERSTAND TO TAKE THE BLOWS, THE TOS AND FROS AND DEAL WITH WHAT HE'S PLANNED. BUT MONEY'S RUNNIN' LOW YOU KNOW, NO FRIENDS TO HELP ME THROUGH. JUST ONE LAST THING THAT I CAN SELL AND THAT WILL HAVE TO DO. I FEEL HUNGER IN MY BABY'S GUT, NATURE'S NAUGHTY PLAN; AND I FEEL THE RUMBLING OF THE WHEELS OF THE TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN. NOW MY MIND JUST TAKES TO RAMBLIN' AS THE DAY GOES WALKING WEST AND MADNESS COMES A-CRAWLIN' THROUGH THE HOLE INSIDE MY BREAST. SORROW SINGS A SIMPLE SONG THAT SCREAMS THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH: A MELODY OF HIM AND ME THAT NEVER RANG SO TRUE. I SEE DARK CLOUDS ON THE RISE AND I SEE MIDGETS IN THE SAND AND THEY PAINT MY SIGHT WITH VISIONS OF THE TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN. I DREAMT I FOUND HIS CROSS-ROADS IN A LAND OF STICKS AND STONES WHERE THE PETTY WORRIES OF THE HEART ARE WORRIES SO UNKNOWN. HE TOOK ME IN HIS ARMS AND TIED ME TO HIS SIDE, CAUGHT THAT FIRST WIND OF THE HILLS AND FURTHER WE DID RIDE. I FELT HIS TOUCH UPON MY BREAST THAT UNFORGIVING HAND BUT WHEN I WOKE I COULD SMELL THE SMOKE OF THE TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN. NOW THE WIND RUNS THROUGH MY SKIN. THE RAIN RUNS THROUGH MY EYES I BREATH, I BREAK, I PALE BENEATH GODS UNFORGIVING SKIES BUT COME THE DAWN I'LL CLEAN MY TEETH, FLOWER UP MY BREAST, TAKE OFF MY FADED APRON, PUT ON MY SUNDAY BEST. AND TO FIND THE STRINGS TO STITCH MY HEART I WILL LOOK TO HOLY LANDS AND LAY MY BACK DOWN ON THE TRACK OF THE TRAIN THAT STOLE MY MAN.