Cigarettes and Wine

I saw her in Roosevelt Springs, where time doesn't touch anything.

She never did say she could sing, but I figured it so.

I needed some company then, not sisters or children or men.

That's a hell of a spot to be in, but she put me in tow.

Money and liquor and lust had taken my heart and my trust.

I could see ashes and dust were headed my way.

She tended bar in the town. Her alto settled me down.

I started hanging around. Didn't need much to say.

She smelled like cigarettes and wine

and she kept me happy all the time.

I know that ain't much of a line

but it's the Gods' own truth.

She lives down inside of me still

rolled up like a twenty dollar bill.

She left me alone with these pills

in the last of my youth.

Wings on her shoulders and feet, a bar on Gethsemane Street

I took time to plan my retreat, and backed out the door.

I must be attracted to those who've witnessed a man in the throes

of life that ain't grindstone to nose, but pedal to floor.

She smelled like cigarettes and wine

and she kept me happy all the time.

I know that ain't much of a line

but it's the Gods' own truth.

She lives down inside of me still

rolled up like a twenty dollar bill.

She left me alone with these pills

in the last of my youth.

Lost on the dry side of town

my memories slowing me down

she shook me and I came around

I came back to life.

With nary a mother or dad

she showed me what I never had

the princess of leaves, she gets sad

'cause I won't take a wife.

She smelled like cigarettes and wine

and she kept me happy all the time.

I know that ain't much of a line

but it's the Gods' own truth.

She lives down inside of me still

rolled up like a twenty dollar bill.

She left me alone with these pills

in the last of my youth.