No flashing lights
No screaming ambulance song
Bystanders moving along
Assume he's drunk and asleep
December air
He's lying under the stars
While we're imploring our cars
To make some haste with the heat
Is anyone responsible for this weary soul?
The keeper or defender of his blood?
Am I the greater man because I reap and I sow?
Does that make me more worthy of your love?
The winter chill
Swept in without any warning
And no one is mourning
As he exits the world
They'll drag him off
Just like a lamb to the slaughter
Then contact his daughter
With the burial bill
Is anyone responsible for this weary soul?
The keeper or defender of his blood?
Am I the greater man because I reap and I sow?
Does that make me more worthy of your love?
Well I see you there beneath the street lamp
Oh my brother
But I am ill-prepared for such a frigid evening
So I really must keep moving
But if you scoot on over near the manhole cover
I bet you'd be a little bit warmer
Well as for me I'll give my thermostat a few more clicks
So I can kick off my shoes
Without my bare feet feeling the winter chill
But please my brother
Do not mistake my acknowledgment of your condition for guilt
See, any obligation I felt towards you
Passed from my hands
When I deposited my spare change
In the red bucket outside the grocery store
And besides, my brother
We both know you can't be trusted with money
And the shelter would've welcomed you with open arms tonight
If you didn't reek of piss and alcohol
Now if you'll excuse me
I believe I hear the church bells ringing
And I simply mustn't be late