Hushpuppy

Walk, east into town

I hear my change, ringing in stride

I got a leash, long in my hand

No better friend, right by my side

See Mr C., hands me the salt

Bag of flour, sugarcane

He said boy, it's long way back

You two get on, before the rain

Buddy's got meat on his bones

He'll be curled up beside me at home

Asleep on a bed that we sewn

Hushpuppies hot on the stove

Jog, west out of town

My pockets empty, my arms full

Buddy, leadin' me quick

Tryin a shortcut, before it storms

We spot a shadow, it spooked us both

Eyes shining through, what's left of skin and bone

Growl, bare all them teeth

We'll say him a prayer, when we get home

She said son, you pray all you want

But don't let another's demons

Keep you awake

And she said son, you're tied up in knots

'Bout time that you fetch a switch and

I'll set you straight

Stare, into the fire

Watch it whip, 'round with the wind

And droplets pelt, my roof overhead

My buddy's dry, he soon be dreaming

He don't feel a thing on his skin

I can't shake what I don't want to know

I just pull him tight and shut my mouth

And my mind

And she said son, you pray all you want

But don't let another's demons keep you awake

And she said son, you're tied up in knots

'Bout time that you fetch a switch and

I'll set you straight

And she said son, you best straighten up

Else these hushpuppies go nowhere

But down in the drain

And she said son, if you so concerned

You go find out what it feels like

Sleep out in the rain

Buddy's got meat on his bones

Curled up beside me alone

Next to the fire at home

Asleep on the bed that we sewn

The face that the city has shown

Gaunt with a pillow of stone

My buddy twitches and moans

Hushpuppies hot on the stove