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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mandolin
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Vocals
Nathaniel Walcott
Nathaniel Walcott
Piano
Jason Boesel
Jason Boesel
Drums
Griffin Goldsmith
Griffin Goldsmith
Drums
Macey Taylor
Macey Taylor
Bass
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Songwriter
Nathaniel Walcott
Nathaniel Walcott
Horn Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Producer
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mixing Engineer
Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts
Engineer
Bob Jackson
Bob Jackson
Mastering Engineer
Brian Lee
Brian Lee
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Standing there watching as they're climbing up El Capitan
Reaching for the draw and they're sleeping in their rubber bands
You said they were insane, shook your head as you grabbed my hand
Led me deep into the woods until we finally had to double back
[Verse 2]
Yeah, everything was roses, every night, it was baths and wine
Every time you would undress me, I could swear that you were freezing time
I thought that we were twins and lovers, we shared one mind
Until it turned transparent and blatant and serpentine
[Chorus]
So it's time to pay the piper, don't want to be the last in line
They'll auction you at Christies, you're gonna fetch a handsome price
And in time, they'll decide what was yours and what was mine
And you'll end up in a ditched dream, feeling like the color of the sky
[Verse 3]
So you're playing your Nintendo, spun out like a gramophone
Living in a basement, sleeping down there all alone
The conditions were perfect, more perfect for a perfect storm
Then they found you in the morning hanging from an extension cord
[Verse 4]
The world is on fire, California is a crucible
We're running out of water, they already stole all the gold
You kept kissing me like Judas, your betrayal was apropos
You said I'm washed up and that's what I get for growing old
[Chorus]
It's time to pay the piper, you gotta be the first in line
So they're burning you an effigy, well, that happens to me all the time
Something kind in disguise, a canary in the mine
You can't say I didn't warn you or prepare you for the afterlife
[Outro]
I did warn you
Baby B, I did
Written by: Conor Oberst
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