Cover Up the Sun

Colorado passes by like writing on a wall

Headed Eastward down to New Orleans

Dipping into Texas as the stars are fading out

But there’s still a lot of country in-between

When I left California, I was 29 years old

And the world just spun me ‘round

Now I just watch Louisiana

Scroll across the windowpane

And I face in the direction I am bound

 

Cover up the sun

Let the river run

Make the waters come and wash me away

(Verse)

Me, Clifton, and the King of Cats

Sat down in the road

Pedro said, "Boys, we're three of kind"

He said “I’ve sat with river rats

And I’ve hung my hat with diplomats

I had 4 brothers once upon a time”

He said they toured the country far away from the Rio Grande

But the road just wore them down

So they bought a house beside a lake outside of New Orleans

And they stared in the direction of the escalating sound

 

Cover up the sun

Let the river run

Take this good man’s son and wash him away

Sister Indecipherable is talking to a wall

Back in New York City, she’s a queen

Resurrect or genuflect

She saves the ones she can’t protect

And keeps the chapel pris- (if not Sis-) tine

She drinks Absinthe mixed with Kerosene to keep herself upright

But the world still brings her down

If you can't keep your shit together when God is on your side

What chance do you have when he's not around?

Make that water run

Let the river come to wash me away

 

People of the Mardi Gras in their Tuesday best

Waiting for the South to rise again

Children of Geronimo grieving for the West

Feather dressed and marching their refrain

And in the dark of Armstrong Park

The marching bands ascend

But they never make a sound

Just a quiet prayer for Congo Square

A silent conversation there

With the night to rest our eyes in

We just look to the horizon for the change

Cover up the sun

Let the river run

Pray the waters come to wash me away

 

Color in the sky

Make the diesel fly

Lay me down to die and take me away