Winter Coats

I saw my sister lay in bed

Chain-smoking cigarettes

Window open, November spilling in

I made a cross over my head

I dipped my fingertips in the calcified green holy water dish

I took pity on your battered soul

And never let you in

I feel like a lost winter coat

In a county church's basement

Where I wept

I can't believe that I'm here again

Waited 'til everybody left

I sat at the organ

And played myself a slow and quiet hymn

And then you sat up from the bench

You scared me half to death

I hadn't seen you since you were a kid

I took pity on your battered soul

And never let you in

But if you feel like a lost winter coat

In a county church's basement

I get it, I get it

Christ, you got tall

You've got your grandfather chin

I guess you're mom's been pretty busy

Why don't you sit with me a bit

If you like that song

Then I can teach you it

Come on over to the organ

It's easy, I promise, I promise

Put your left hand here like that

Line up your right and then it's B to E, C Sharp Minor and back

And hey I'm sorry about your dad

I watched you during mass

He'd be so damn proud of how brave you've been

You took pity on their battered souls

And never let them in

But if I'm just a lost winter coat

In a county church's basement

I could be of use

If you're cold I could shelter you

And maybe I could stick around a bit you know

If you want someone to talk to