Man Leaves Town
Nick Waterhouse
Man came to town
came through your TV screen,
convinced you he knew just
what you mean:
All your hopes
and your spleen
gold magpie, he built you a nest
from your scraps
with help -
beautiful, the best
You who were given
By wonder or by divine
Yeah, you wasted a gift,
and there's not much time
You brought us all along -
The final verse!
The final song!
Not venal pride,
Not thirst for power,
Not cowardice,
11th hour
You who were given
by wonder or by divine
You wasted a gift,
There's not much time
He sold your church
He sold your car
He sold your trade
He sold your 'yards
He sold the guns
you kept to protect
You'll never know
until the man collects
You sold yourself
The payment's down
- You bought it, too
The man leaves town