- 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.
