Ruby Red

(album: Put The Shine On - 2020)

A sheep in devil's clothing
Wounded on her journey
Engraved upon her heart, she did
A solemn promise to be worthy
To be good by being bad
Working for the man
A different kind of Uncle Sam
Trading allegiance for power and power for sand
Lost the handle of the whip
Drinking poison in large sips
Can't catch the mockingbird whose words

Echoing mournful dirge
(Little momma ruby red)
Paint the fable of her death
And how she resurrects
(With your wings made of lead)
A secret hard to keep
On which no one will believe
(Hit the road and dust will fly)
Wolf crying of spilled milk
(Black birds fill the sky)
Little momma ruby red
With your wings made of lead
Hit the road and dust will fly
Black birds fill the sky

Let us now praise
The infinite loving ways
Known to all you touched
Butterflies exploding in the wake of you
Magical dust, lust
Kept locked in a secret box
Fear of sin
You told me just before you died
The last December of your life
"Life is too short to hide,
Let in the love, let in the light"
We saw it in your eyes, when they went 'round the room one last time
Your face already smiling God from the other side
"Was I ready to walk her home?", she said
"Tomorrow's never promised and always be honest"
Her breath is now our song
Lady Death is never wrong
Make no mistake, Lady Death is never wrong

Little momma ruby red
With your wings made of lead
Hit the road and dust will fly
Black birds fill the sky
Little momma ruby red
With your wings made of lead
Hit the road and dust will fly
Black birds fill the sky
Little momma ruby red
With your wings made of lead
Hit the road and dust will fly
Black birds fill the sky