VERY GOOD MAN
(For Jim “Mac” McDonnell 1928-1990)
Shoveling earth on another deep hole. See you soon.
Covering up any traces of you. Spoon by spoon.
This is the way you were spending your nights. No one knew.
Who was that happy and confident man? Not a clue.
Make it work. Watch it grow. Chop it down to the quick.
Let it breathe. Give it room. Walk away. Let it die.
What is the crime in these dangerous times? Secret love.
Plowing through ten different faces a month. They go nameless.
Keeping this out of the paper’s no trick. No one sees.
Innocents hang so the jury may dine. What’s that mean?
I don’t know. Never did. A lonely man needs to share.
Holding tight. No one thinks. Time is now. Open wide.
Very good man. Very bad blood. This is our future, now.
I wasn’t there. I heard through the phone.
He didn’t recall me or you.
What can you do? It’s part of it all.
You can remember ‘cause it’s in your head.
Sha la la la la la...
Make it work. Watch it grow. Chop it down to the quick.
Let it breathe. Give it room. Walk away. Let it die.
Very good man. Very bad blood. This is our future, now.
I wasn’t there. I heard through the phone.
He didn’t recall me or you.
What can you do? It’s part of it all.
You can remember ‘cause it’s in your head.
Sha la la la la la...
Sha la la la la la...
If you have a fondness for expertly wrought roots-rock with sharp lyrics and aching vocals, look no further—“Strangers” is for you. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 8, 2022