Kevin Devine
Alabama Acres
So there's hundreds of auburn Alabama acres
With rows of red roofs over warm farmer's daughters
Who've got no intention of inviting me in
Space shines all above me, so I settle myself under it
When I wake up I'm back in my crowded city apartment
With some random men doing work off in the kitchen
They're stacking mattresses up now from the ceiling down to the floor
My father's sick in the hallway. I hear him whistling under the door
I rush to lift him, but you all know I'm weak and you know that he's heavy
There's no blood in his cheeks, but he's smiling straight at me
I ask the thickest of the workers, "Would you please come and help me out?"
He comes ambling over and says, "Sir, I love how your whistling sounds."
So now we drag him through the kitchen and down on the carpet
He says, "Son, I'm embarrassed, but the sides of my head hurt
I just know that I'm tired, and I could surely use some rest."
I tear a mattress down for him and I say, "Here Dad. Sleep some on this."
I wake for real, and it's over
I'm alone in the acres, and my dad is still dead
So if you're underneath one of those rooftops
Look out your window and invite me on in
Cause it's cold and I'm lonely, and I could sure use a friend