Scorpion Hill

Up on Scorpion Hill watching life

Passing me by in the pale moonlight

And I sat there forever, three sheets to the wind

It’s not helping my case, the state that I’m in

But it’s not how they told you

My intentions were good

I was just bursting apart like the end of the ark

Holding on to whatever I could

A square of light moves its way through the empty room

Across the stained yellow carpet

Like a ghost of myself in the afternoon

Haunting my basement apartment

I looked in to the mirror

Hanging behind my door

The glass was cracked and the man staring back

He don’t look like me anymore

And if the world is gonna burn

Everyone should get a turn to light it up

Down and out, I’ve been on the rocks

I’ve been having some pretty dark thoughts

Yeah, I like them a lot

Time and time again, well I’ve tried and failed

To get my act together

And I’ll admit lately things really went off the rails

I know that you deserve better

But in the morning, as I was boarding

The commuter train to work

The boss was calling, he said: There’s been cutbacks and

I’m sorry you’re the first

And If I can’t support the two of us

How can I support a third?

Down and out, I’ve been on the rocks

I’ve been having some pretty dark thoughts

And I’m on the brink

Fallin’ deep into debt

Fallin’ deep into drink

I can drown those regrets

I don’t have to think

Now I’m working the night shift

Asleep at the wheel

I was bursting apart like a flame from a spark

Thinkin': Jesus, this can’t be for real

My sweat-soaked mattress

Corner of the room

Cigarettes and matches

In the fading afternoon

And a picture of my kid, yeah, he’s smiling

It’s the first day of school