Five AM

Hear the rumblin of thunder down along the mountainside 
Steel slappin box-cars colliding side to side 
Down below the foothills the boulders are turning 
The new leaves are gettin green and the old ones are burning 
The brakeman didn't know that the lights had gone out 
He pulls down the lever and he lets out a shout 
"Hang on tight, hang on tight! This thing's goin off the rails 
"Move everybody to the front and put their pictures up for sale." 

Jealousy is ugly and fear is overrated 
The clearest windows to our souls are the most understated 
You couldn't help but turn over the error of your ways 
Ain't it strange you never felt happier than you do today? 
Hiding behind a mask, you can't keep yourself from laughing 
About the fires in the orchards and the demons that are passing. 

I may not be smart, but I'm still a good person 
So take back those barrels that you keep all your dirt in. 
Mama keeps it cool and tries to play it real nice 
Even though boys are interrupting when she's givin you advice. 
And the fruit trees of Eden hang just about your heads 
So reach up and take it instead of waiting til you're dead. 
I like steamed rice and chicken beneath my red beans 
I like a thirty dollar pair of shoes and dirty old jeans. 
And I laugh at anyone who puts their soul in their possessions 
Cause something that don't grow ain't nothin to invest in. 

I don't mean to preach to you with a cautionary tale 
but half the ship is sinkin, the other half is in the whale. 
And a country boy ain't so funny when he's wound up and bound
A debutante ain't so pretty when she ain't in a gown, 
But the losers and the dreamers keep hanging around 
While the poets from the city hang the flag upside-down. 

I would, if I could, I would heal up every bruise 
But the ocean's waiting quietly for its turn to cut loose 
And rise up thick, a hundred feet above our heads 
Do you understand what I meant or did you just hear what I said? 
Now i don't mean to be pushy, I don't expect you to rush 
I'm not angry at what you do, I just expect too much. 
Our cheeks are flush and your soft breath is warming 
Let's lay like this til the light of the morning.