We stole all Mama's baggage And stuffed it with Daddy's cologne and Sunday best And then I sat up in bed in a nervous sweat Waiting for those creaking warning stairs As the lights went out, I snuck out my window And ran down those railroad tracks This city's a crucifix and I have suffered for it Just feel the scar along my side But I could have saved you from this Bible-beating life The train leaves half past twelve
You're too afraid to live without When they dumped you in the lake Were you held under too long? We swore we'd both escape from the cloth
In Mama's baggage, I found a photo Of our trip to Colorado Springs I was young and defiant, but you were compliant A happy toddler in Daddy's arms I hung the picture upon the mirror in my dingy motel room The sirens howl at night, strangers prowl outside I tremble in bed thinking of you I tried to call the house I keep hanging up the phone When I hear his voice, I remember those Sundays And I'm glad I finally left home I'd rather be alone than wrong
You keep nesting away your doubt Sure, I've made some mistakes And this might be my hell But at least I damned myself No more preachers nailing me to the cross
You're too afraid to live without He who believes will be saved He who believes will behave
Some baptism, anointed with piss and spit How could you leave me behind and join their side? How long until we all surrender?