Lydia

(album: Strays - 2023)

At the clinic wondering what your face would be like
Mascara bleeding to my eyes
Tied like a dog on a chain with a midlife crisis and an ex husband
Sneaking a Marlboro Ultra Light I stole from a nurse out there in the alley
Halfway home is where the heart is and I'm halfway home

White trash, trailer trash, they said you'd always be it
And you said, 'one day you'll see.'
But lately you start to wonder if they were right
Spit on you at school outside
In the locker room and bathroom too
Locked you in the stall
Bless this mess, can I bum a light?

The cars out on the LA Freeway they look like red and light Christmas lights strung out on a chain
The ex virgin Mary of 49th street has a pocket full of pills
She sold herself for synthetic heroin and sleeping with a man about twice her age
Really though it was anything but sleeping

Nice neighbors, bad cough
No health insurance this year, transitional neighborhood
Gentrification comes like it always does and some nice condos they go in
But the needles in the alley they're still laying there
Don't go barefoot or take a nap out there
Wear shoes if you have um
Undercover methadone clinic
Children close your eyes

Say a lullaby and think of a nursery rhyme
Or maybe something your mama used to tell you when you were trying to sleep
Jill fell down when the bow breaks oh the cradle will fall
Down will come baby, down will come baby, down will come baby
Put out the cigarette
Just make a decision Lydia, just make a decision
It's yours

Close your eyes and make a wish
Hear the whisper of God
He used to talk like you, you used to see his face in the clouds
Now I see your face in my mind
It's wrong for him to want it
Bless this mess, brush your hair
Fix yourself up real nice you've got a show tonight

Singing down at the Broken Bottle, half waiting shifts
Get the guys a couple of beers, go on get the food, living off tips and meth
Then I came home after dancing one night
And I wrecked my car and you have to take the bus now so you've got a long walk to think about it
A long walk to the station
A long life ahead to live with yourself
So think about it Lydia
Think about it Lydia
Think about it Lydia