Myshkin's Ruby Warblers

ANGOLA

FOR 45 YEARS I WAS THE MAN WITH THE KEYS
FROM WALKING THOSE HALLS TO SIGNING THOSE RELEASES
I’VE HAD THEM SPIT ON ME I’VE HAD THEM ON THEIR KNEES
I’VE BEEN CALLED EVERYTHING FROM SATAN TO JESUS
I CLAWED MY WAY TO THE TOP OF THE HEAP
‘TIL I RULED THIS LITTLE KINGDOM OF KILLERS JUNKIES AND THIEVES

45 YEARS OF FACES THAT ALL LOOK THE SAME
COME IN ONE DARK DAY MAYBE LEAVE MOSTLY COME BACK AGAIN
WHAT A MAN USED TO BE MATTERS ABOUT AS MUCH
AS HIS MAMA’S MAIDEN NAME IT’S A MATTER OF RECORD
BUT IT’S ANCIENT HISTORY AFTER ABOUT 3 DAYS
CAUSE IT’S A WHOLE OTHER UNIVERSE MAY AS WELL BE OUT IN SPACE THAT PLACE WHERE THE WORLD THROWS
WHO IT DON’T WANT AROUND IT AWAY

RELEASE ME FROM THIS LIFE I WILL SEEK MY PUNISHMENT
ON THE OTHER SIDE BUT THE JUDGE SAID
“WARDEN IN COLD BLOOD YOU SHOT YOUR POOR POOR WIFE
YOU’RE GOING BACK TO ANGOLA, THERE YOUR HELL TO FIND”

NOW I WORKED HARD AT MY CAREER GAVE NO THOUGHT TO MY LIFE
I WAS BREATHING DOWN THE NECK OF 50 YEARS ‘FORE I TOOK A WIFE
I MARRIED A MYSTERY WRITER ‘BOUT HALF MY AGE ‘BOUT HALF MY SIZE
I LIKED THE WAY SHE CURLED UP SMALL IN MY ARMS AT NIGHT
BUT THEY MADE ME RETIRE WHEN I WAS 65
FOR 13 YEARS I’VE BEEN SITTING HERE WATCHING THAT WOMAN WRITE

SHE GETS DRESSED BEHIND A CHINESE SCREEN
SHE’S GOT A SHELF FULL OF BOOKS SHE WROTE YOU CAN READ
SHE GETS FAN MAIL AND PHONE CALLS AND ARTICLES IN MAGAZINES
SHE’S GOT A ROOM WITH A LOCK SHE HOLDS THE KEY
I’VE GOT 45 YEARS OF FAST FADING BAD MEMORIES
AND PEOPLE I DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT HATE ME

NOW PRISON CAN DESTROY A MAN JUST LIKE A WAR
DON’T MATTER IF YOUR WINNING OR LOSING
OR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THOSE BARS
I AIN’T TRYING TO MAKE EXCUSES YOUR HONOR
I’M JUST TRYING TO SAY WHAT FOR
I TOOK THAT 45 OUT OF IT’S CASE OUT OF THE DRAWER
I FULLY INTENDED TO USE THAT GUN ON ME
I GUESS IT’S JUST FORCE OF HABIT MADE ME TURN IT ON HER