Pipeline
Spring 98
Ft. Smith, Arkansas

I don’t know who put the holes in the pipeline
I don’t know why there were holes in the pipeline
All that I know, gasoline flowed from those holes like silver wine

I caught that gasoline in any old jar I could find
Caught that gasoline in any old bottle
One hundred or more of my neighbors caught gasoline by my side

The fumes made you dizzy the gas burned your skin
The fumes made you sick and the gas burned your skin
But we shouted and laughed like it was silver or silk we were bathing in

I don’t know who put the spark to the fire
I don’t know why someone put the spark to the fire
All that I know, that silver lagoon suddenly turned into a lake of fire

Now I hear the bellringer walking the street
Listen the bellringer is walking the street
Calling the wounded to come to the hospital, promising not to turn us in for thieves

But how can I trust them to treat and release me
How can I trust they will treat me and leave me
The burns on my body speak clear I am guilty of thieving their gasoline

But I don’t know who put the holes in the pipeline
I don’t know why there were holes in the pipeline
All that I know, gasoline flowed from those holes like silver wine