Hosea

Every time I lay in the bed beside you, Hosea, Hosea, I hear the sound of the streets of the city. My belly growls like a hungry wolf and I let it prowl till my belly's full. Hosea, my heart is a stone. Please believe me when I say I'm sorry, Hosea, Hosea, you loveable, gullible man. I tell you that my love is true till it fades away like a morning dew. Hosea, leave me alone. Here I am in the Valley of Trouble. Just look at the bed that I've made: badlands as far as I can see. There's no one here but me, Hosea.

I stumbled and fell in the road on the way home, Hosea, Hosea. I lay in the brick street like a stray dog. You came to me like a silver moon with the saddest smile I ever knew. Hosea carried me home again. Home again. You called me out to the Valley of Trouble just to look at the mess that I've made, a barren place where nothing can grow. One look and my stone heart crumbled--it was a valley as green as jade. I swear it was the color of hope. You turned a stone into a rose, Hosea.

I sang and I danced like I did as a young girl, Hosea, Hosea. I am a slave and a harlot no more. You washed me clean like a summer rain and you set me free with that ball and chain. Hosea, I threw away the key. I'll never leave.