she was almost out of high school when she left home
got a job in an office
she answered the phone
her boss was a creep
he wouldn’t leave her alone she had to go

middle of that mess she met a fine young man

they rolled into houston in a chevrolet van louisiana tags
a beautiful band of gold they carried each other so long
but they drifted apart never really went wrong

married too young both moved along ciest la vi

she starts every day just fine

then she hears that voice same place same time

her mother is in the mirror with the same old lines to say

she says
you know better baby
say grace
don’t even try
you can’t take your brother’s place don’t even try
don’t give me that face any more

so where does the time go
there is gray in her hair
she sits at her dressing table
in a wrought iron chair
wears a tarry cloth robe
with a tear
when she is alone
the tv says war in the holy land
she looks at the wrinkles on the
back of her hand
rubs her finger where she wore a wedding band she looks away

precious savior
she remembers a hymn it is a hymn
she never liked
she goes to the gym goes to work dinner with a friend falls asleep
with the tv on

you know better baby
say grace
don’t even try
you can’t take your brothers place don’t even try
don’t give me that face anymore

say grace baby you know how

all these years even now

stand up mother take a bow

cause you still make her cry