The Hold Steady

Lord, I'm Discouraged

The Hold Steady


Lord, I'm discouraged 
the circles have sucked in her eyes 
Lord, I'm discouraged 
her new friends have shadowed her life 
Lord, I'm discouraged 
she ain't come out dancin' for some time 
I try to light candles 
but they burn down to nothin' 
and she keeps comin' up with 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
There's a house on the southside 
she stays in for days at a time 

I know I'm no angel 
but I ain't been bad that way 
Can't you hear her? 
She's that sweet missing songbird 
when the choir sings on Sunday 
And I'm almost busted 
but I bought back the jewelry she sold 
And I come to your altar 
But then there's just nothin' 
and she keeps insiting 
the sutures and bruises are none of my business 
she says that she's sick 
but she won't get specific 
the sutures and bruises are none of my business 
This guy from the north side 
comes down to visit 
His visits they only take five or six minutes 

Lord, I'm sorry to question your wisdom 
but my faith has been waverin' 
Won't you show me asign 
let me know that you're listenin' 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
Excuses and half truths and fortified wine 
I know it's unlikely she'll ever be mine 
so I mostly just pray she don't die