the black maria

The Decemberists

There in my memory
Just on periphery
Loose knit like gauze on the centerline
The broke down cobblestone drive, the black maria

For when it comes for you
Nothing be done for you
Write down your name on the dotted line
Shut up your mouth, son, here s the black maria

The black maria
Comes for us all
Can t you hear their boots in the hall?
Answer your name when they call
The black maria
The black maria

Wher? are the neighbors?
Th? bootblacking laborers?
The windows are dark and the shutters drawn
The only lone souls who roam are all pariahs

Turn out your lantern light
Set your affairs to right
Pull out the prayers that you mumble on
For everyone is an enemy come the black maria

The black maria comes for us all
Line them up with their backs to the wall
It s gone by the time they all fall
The black maria
The black maria

The black maria comes for us all
Can t you hear their boots in the hall
Answer your name when they call
The black maria
The black maria

There in my memory
Just on periphery
Loose knit like gauze on the center line
The broke down cobblestone drive
The black maria