ONE OF THEIRS

you bring your songs to this little town
like you invented fire
don't you know you're singing to the choir?
local girls with imported beer
are sinking in their chairs and
leaning in to hear a word of theirs
hey mister, don't you know one of theirs?

play the one about a trainwreck
play the one about a cup that's never full
play the one about Friday night in a Monday town
writin' on a wall as they're tearing it down
skip the songs by Elvis
he never lived in that hotel
play the one about a bottle as empty as the bed you're in
trying hard to think of an original sin
just to settle for the same 80 proof amen
put a quarter in a box
your dreams in the air
and play them one of theirs

i don't know what you're accustomed to
i just know the people here
and they don't take kind to those who force a tear
cowboys in space boots are lassoing the moon
and holding on for an old familiar tune
hey mister, don't you know their favorite tune?