Back when the snakes were still biting at his heels
he'd wake up every morning with the shakes and the chills;
he'd say,
"Leave the lights on,
leave the lights on.
It's dark enough as it is."
He never grew accustomed to the burns and the pills
and the tow'ring bony shadows perched like gargoyles on stilts;
he'd say,
"Leave the lights on,
leave the lights on.
It's dark enough as it is."
He'd concentrate on the bleached white walls
and the bed would begin to shake
The ghosts would come to the evil ones,
and the fear came in waves.
Send up a prayer for the wicked at heart,
but down run out among them or they'll tear you apart;
always
leave the lights on,
leave the lights on.
It's dark enough as it is