Dog Stay Down

I watched the red clouds fold back behind the depot

Watched my own coat-tails disappear down the street

Left myself in the lurch but what was worse still

Was the look on Anna's face when I turned to concrete

Because I hadn't been to town, not since the pageant

I was sicker than a general at the sight of blood

But nature forced me on the wagon, now I'm rolling

Through the rain that's falling sadly on bad love

And oh, I'll be alright

If the dog stays down tonight

But if the gate's untended long

In the morning, in the morning I'll be gone

Oh, please forgive me for my bloated invocation

Of roses as a ruse to cover me

I'm bleeding like a pig into the water

Oh, when will I be free?

How could I let a submachine-gun tell my fortune

Or let me think that wanting was enough?

Like windfall fruit I'm coursing down the river

In the wake of insubordinate bad love

And oh, I'll be alright

If the dog stays down tonight

But if the gate's untended long

In the morning, in the morning I'll be gone