Wendell Walker

Wendell Walker was a friend of mine

We'd stain our teeth in the summer time

And with lips of purple the winter would roll

Past the boarded windows into our soul

And shake our weary bones

Now this past winter was the coldest in years

It's hard to explain if you've never lived here

But it locks your doors and starts your mind

Thinking into circles just to pass the time

And breaks your weary heart

Now Wendell Walker was a man of God

But he didn't care much for his sober mind

And when the cold mixed in, he was turned around

Heard the voice of God and the angels sound

A message just for him

My son, my son

She is the devil's child

Won't you save her while you can?

Cut down the other man

Now Wendell Walker was a friend of mine

But he married too young in the summer time

Their hearts weren't ripe so they fell apart

Yeah I found myself with a joyful heart

As our secret lives began

We found our moments in between the hours

When Wendell Walker drove his car to town

But one day he found a letter

That I wrote for her on the top of her dresser

And in his winter mind

He heard the voice of God

Say

My son, my son

She is the devil's child

Won't you save her while you can?

Cut down the other man

With the voice of the Lord ringing in his ears

And the note to his wife that confirmed his fears

He sat down on the edge of the bed

Read the letter again to see who'd sent it

But it was signed forever yours

He stood up slow, like he'd just been hit

Walked into the kitchen where his wife was sitting

He said, my mother called on the telephone

She says she needs some help

So I'll be back in the morning

And he grabbed his heavy coat

My phone rang while I was watching the news

She said the house was ours to cure these winter blues

So I made my way, and we turned the blinds

And Wendell walked in just in time

To see our secret die

And say

My son, my son

I'm gonna have to cut you down

He pointed his rifle to my eyes

But his hesitating hands

Were shaking from the cold

So I pushed his gun away

Just as he found his strength

And the bullet kissed her lips

And I cried

My God, my God

What have I done?

And he reloaded his gun

And he put it in his mouth

And I stood in the room

That I created