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Send Flowers

 

Mary Ellen Thomas died in 1945

Waiting for her lover

Prayed he’d make it home alive

But a letter that September brought the tears straight to her eyes

Instead of taking his last name

She would be taking her own life


Everyone’s just waiting for that day
To be shoved inside a pretty box and then be hid away

Will they laugh? 

Will they cry?
Tell me, what will they say?
When you dance your brittle bones into the grave

(Ha ha ha, one more time with feeling!)

 

Little Eric Edwards thought he’d live forevermore

Used to love losing his temper

Thought he’d keep settling scores

But his beauty and his charm and his luck all wore too thin

He let his mouth run to a bet he couldn’t win

 

(Oh, I’m trying to tell you people!)

Everyone’s just waiting for that day
To be shoved inside a pretty box and then be hid away

Will they laugh? 

Will they cry?
Tell me, what will they say?
When you dance your brittle bones into the grave

 

Some say it’s just like sleeping

Some say you’re born again

Some say you meet that man in red and answer for your sins

Well I’m so sick of dreaming

I don’t want to play pretend

Every end has a beginning

Every beginning has an end


 

Sparrow County Line

 

I said I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

The sky opened up over Sparrow County

I saw him speaking with this spirit in the midnight air

Shaking god’s name and it wasn’t a prayer

I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

 

Because every dime I spent on my salvation

Can’t match the spirit of a free temptation

Hands around my heart in the midnight sheets

I ain’t fighting back the beast in me

I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

 

And in the preachers eyes, said

“No tomorrow”

And out from his mouth spilled a thousand sorrows

He said he can’t hear god

I don’t think he wanna listen

Out from his lips I hear a new confession

I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

 

Because every dime I spent on my salvation

Can’t match the spirit of a free temptation

Hands around my heart in the midnight sheets

I ain’t fighting back the beast in me

I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

 

(Hallelujah…)

Mother, can you hear the sound?

All these angels weigh me down
(Alleluh…)

Mother, can you hear the sound?

All these angels weigh me down

 

Because every dime I spent on my salvation

Can’t match the spirit of a free temptation

Hands around my heart in the midnight sheets

I ain’t fighting back the beast in me

I ain’t gonna go to the church this Sunday

 

Claws Out!

 

If you’re gonna sell it on the boulevard

You know you need to sell it right

I’ve got a half rolled pack of cigarettes

I ain’t gonna waste my time

I’ve got a pocket full of promises and presidents

And half of them are lies

He says he doesn’t want to go because he’s afraid of the dark

But I think I’m gonna kill the lights

 

Because I’m crazy, baby

I think I’m gonna start a fight

I’m crazy, baby

There’s something wrong with my mind

I see him creeping all around in my Sunday dress

I know what makes him cry

I’m crazy baby

The claws are coming out tonight


Well, it’s a full moon sound
And so they’re gonna know

If you’re moving down the way to the city lights

I don’t expect to see you on my block

You got a lot to say and yet nobody to hear

I guess your mouth wasn’t made to talk

 

Because I’m crazy, baby

I think I’m gonna start a fight

I’m crazy, baby

There’s something wrong with my mind

I see him creeping all around in my Sunday dress

I know what makes him cry

I’m crazy baby

The claws are coming out tonight

 

(You said you wanted it, so I gave it and now you have it, whoa!)

Because I’m crazy, baby

I think I’m gonna start a fight

I’m crazy, baby

There’s something wrong with my mind

I see him creeping all around in my Sunday dress

I know what makes him cry

I’m crazy baby

The claws are coming out tonight

The claws are coming out tonight

The claws are coming out… tonight!

 

 

Devil

 

Say they saw the devil alive in you

Say the saw the devil alive in you

God’s coming on a white horse, riding

God’s coming on a white horse

 

Say they saw the devil alive in you

Say the saw the devil alive in you

God’s coming on a white horse, riding

God’s coming on a white horse

 

Oh, you better repent by morning

They say god only gives one warning

Day by day, my magnolias are blooming

By night, oh, my garden’s dying

Oh, you better repent by morning

Judgement always comes without a warning

Day by day, my magnolias are blooming

By night, I have tried to save my life

 

(God’s coming on a white horse riding…

God’s coming on a white horse.)

 

Say they saw the devil alive in you

Say they saw the devil, boy, he danced in you

God’s coming on a white horse, riding

God’s coming on a white horse

 

Say they saw the devil alive in you

Boy, they saw the devil and he danced in you

God’s coming on a white horse, riding

God’s coming on a white horse

 

Oh, you better repent by morning

They say god only gives one warning

Day by day, my magnolias are blooming

By night, oh, my garden’s dying

Oh, you better repent by morning

Judgement always comes without a warning

Day by day, my magnolias are blooming

By night, I have tried to save my life

 

Say they saw that devil alive in you

 

Say they saw that devil alive in you

(I will not be afraid of the dark, I will not fear…)

Say they saw that devil alive in you

Say they saw the devil, boy, he danced in you

Say they saw that devil alive in you

God’s coming on a white horse riding

 

Bar in Hell

 

I guess we never saw the villains deep inside

Oh, we can run and hide but

I don't think we'll make it out a-

Live wire, smoke and fire

and now we're on our own

The strangest places, darkest faces

and now I hear my own voice on the-

 

Oh, my darling

When it's time to die

You know that our names, they won't be written

in that Book of Life

Firing squad or sleeping pills

Too early to tell 

I'll save you a seat at the bar in hell

 

I guess you never saw the birds in our backyard

They used to tell me stories

Now they're acting like they don't know who we are

Oh god, there's something in the dark

Think it's waited in my heart

And I don't think we'll make it out a-

 

Oh, my darling

When it's time to die

You know that our names, they won't be written

in that Book of Life

Headfirst off a building

It's too early to tell 

I'll save you a seat at the bar in hell

 

All sinners, may I have your attention for a moment?

Oh, honey when the world goes up in flames

Won’t find us anywhere near those pearly gates

No, I can’t lie

I’m going down

But I’m not going without you

If the holy book spells our certain doom

Then there’s nothing we can do except enjoy the ride

We can’t hide

And I don’t think we’ll make it out

 

Oh, my darling

When it's time to die

You know that our names, they won't be written

in that Book of Life

Firing squad or sleeping pills

It's too late to tell

I'll save you a seat at the bar in hell

 

No Money

 

Oh, baby, we've got no money 

But ooh, baby, we've got that face 

Oh, baby, we've got no money 

But ooh, baby, we've got that face

 

There's nothing godless in the makeup that he's waiting to apply

As they shiver shaking downstairs in the dying southern light

Told his best friend's mother mother that there's poison on the vine

But there's fire in the man waiting in the Cadillac outside

 

Oh, baby, we've got no money (Money)

But ooh, baby, we've got that face

Oh, baby, we've got no money (Money)

But ooh, baby, we've got that face

 

Well, wait a second, now

Oh, come and dance with me indoors

Because I think you know the weather and the meaning therewhatfor

It's two birds stoned at once and they're making their last stand

Coming all around to the fire escape if it all goes according to plan

(Woo!)

 

Oh, baby, we've got no money (We've got no-We've got no)

But ooh, baby, we've got that face. (We've got no-We've got no)

Oh, baby, we've got no money (We've got no-We've got no)

But ooh, baby, we've got that face

 

I would like my money back

I would like my money back

I would like my money back

I would like my money back

(Yeah!)


 

I was outside, really really outside

I really want to bring that guttersmoke to a knife fight

Really not fine, really really not fine

Take another shot when I really need a hotline

The reflection nothing unless rejection

And my fear of rejection, like someone manifesting

Hope you’re resting, hope you keep your perception

Party's over hope your phone ain't dead baby

When your homies are leaving you for dead, baby

Hope you're hearing this inside your head, baby

 

Oh, baby, we've got no money (We've got no-We've got no)

But ooh, baby, we've got that face, yeah (We've got no-We've got no)

Oh, baby, we've got no money, money (We've got no-We've got no)

Ooh, baby, we've got that face

(Ooh Yeah)

 

No man I promise when I hit you back

For the thing, That I've got to... You know I've got to...

I've got to... I've got to do the thing...

So... yeah..

 

(Damn it)


 

Wicker Park
 

I put you on your knees and turned your head to the crowd

Said ‘We’ve been having so much fun, I think you should tell them how’

It’s the keeping of composure when your stomach is sick

And the ever-present tension of the lock and the pick

 

I wait for you to draw the line
The line, babe

So raise me up now

Lay me down

I don’t need to ask you, honey 

The tea ain’t better because you drank it alone

So give me one more spoon of honey

No, I don’t need your money
Go cry about it while I sit on my throne

 

Well, if the fashion of the year is just to blame me for your problems

Sew that sorrow on the arrows that you sling

You’ll only see me smiling to the stories you’re writing

Because baby, I’ve got everything I need

 

I know your spotlight’s fading and you’re getting jaded

It’s alright

 

So raise me up now

Lay me down

I don’t need to ask you, honey 

The tea ain’t better because you run and you hide

So give me one more spoon of honey

No, I don’t need your money
Go cry about it while you stare in my eyes

 

Let the horses drag us all away

 

So raise me up now

Lay me down

I don’t need to ask you, honey 

The tea ain’t better because you drank it alone

So give me one more spoon of honey

No, I don’t need your money
Go cry about it while I sit on my throne


 

God of the Woods
 

Well look who’s starting trouble now

The night just took a little turn
These upper west side boys will scrape their knees to think they own the world

I made a sound investment

I made a blood pact with the night

In little deals with devils, dolls, dollar bills and bloodshot eyes

 

I’ve got a red-cloaked alibi

And I’m not afraid to die

 

I’ll never let you down tonight

I’ll never cut you down

I’ll leave you hanging, baby

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never cut you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

 

If you didn’t know it you’d believe in her lies

Perfect Little Posture came to call on her prize and

Fly to the Honey got a whiskey and wine

And he gave it all away

 

Oh, I’m full of bad intentions

Oh, I left a blood trail in the light

I’m living for the spotlight

Drawn to the name that he signs on the dotted line

 

I’ve got a red-cloaked alibi

And I’m not afraid to die

 

I’ll never let you down tonight

I’ll never cut you down

I’ll leave you hanging, baby

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never cut you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

 

And all the gods and the beasts of the woods

Sat me down and said I had to write their secrets, oh

Until one day, when the sparrows came to play

I couldn’t help but let them read it

 

I’ll never let you down tonight

I’ll never cut you down

I’ll leave you hanging, baby

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never cut you down…)

I’ll treat him right

(I’ll never let you down…)

Running with the wolf in the night I’ll treat him right

 

Five People in a Two Person Room

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

 

I called my baby from my hotel room

She had another baby so he came too

Now there’s three damn babies in my hotel room

I called two more and we shake and we zoom

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

 

I lost my mind on the highway

That’s okay, I’m just sideways

That’s alright because I take my time

I lost my mind on the highway

That’s okay, I’m just sideways

That’s alright because I take my time

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

 

(This is the sheriff! You have five people in a two person room! You have five minutes to leave. No more than two people. Five people in a two person room - you need to vacate immediately. Three people must leave from the five people in the two person room.)


I lost my mind on the highway

That’s okay, I’m just sideways

That’s alright because I take my time

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

 

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

Five people in a two person room

We’re gonna get a little crazy tonight

I Don’t Want to Dance

 

I don’t want to come to your party

(Lost in the cold you left me)

I don’t want to talk to your friends

(Stuck in a hollow body)

Because it’s a quarter after nine

I’ll wait outside and leave the car running all night

Just let it ride until we

 

Have a breakdown

Have a breakdown, baby

Have a breakdown

 

Have a meltdown

Have a meltdown, honey

Share a meltdown

 

(Didn’t take my meds, now I’m horny!)

I don’t want to dance

Oooh, I don’t want to dance

No! I don’t want to dance

I don’t want to dance

I’m not dancing

 

And all the kids say

They wanna go to that spaceship

Yeah, the spaceship where they lace shit

But I said

“No! I don’t wanna go to that space shit”
So crash it

 

Have a breakdown

Have a breakdown, baby

Have a breakdown

 

Have a meltdown

Have a meltdown, honey

Share a meltdown

 

(Didn’t take my meds, now I’m horny!)

 

I don’t want to dance

Oooh, I don’t want to dance

No! I don’t want to dance

I don’t want to dance

I’m not dancing

 

Everybody’s there

They got their tiny little drinks

With the tiny umbrellas

And she looks at me

From across the room

She comes up to me and she says

“Are you having a good time? You should be dancing.

You should be dancing.

You should be dancing.”
So I lean in close and I look at her and I say

 

Dance

Oooh, I don’t want to dance

No! I don’t want to dance

I don’t want to dance

I don’t want to dance

 

Sha na na na na na, baby!

 

Dance

Oooh, I don’t want to dance

No! I don’t want to dance

I don’t want to dance

I’m not dancing

 

Paper Ships

 

Well, the night’s across the sea

And they dragged you out to shore

Taking you away from us

I saw you tied across the boards

 

Did they find all the lines on your fingertips

When they folded you up like a paper ship?

Last night, I had a dream you were still alive across the tide

The memories, I keep them in a box in the back of my mind

I don’t want to talk about it

The thought of you alone just breaks my bones

 I see you from the sails I’m turning

And feel you like a storm before the calm

 

In the rush of every light

In the creak of every door

In the peaceful rush of fall

Are you gone forevermore?

Did they find all the lines on your fingertips

When they folded you up like a paper ship?

Last night, I had a dream you were still alive across the tide

The memories, I keep them in a box in the back of my mind

I don’t want to talk about it

The thought of you alone just breaks my bones

 I see you from the sails I’m turning

And feel you like a storm before the calm

 

Mirrors sound the loss of life

The ocean writes your name at night

Sparrow guided, solemn heights

Salty air, the sacrifice

 

The wind bends me into songs and lines

The quiet hurt that tucks me in at night

 

In letters sent but never read

I promise this in scarlet red

That I will love with presence clear

And you live on in what I’ve written here

And now I know what I can say

You were a gift that couldn’t stay

But in this moment now I know

That death can’t break the heart you stole…

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