cigarettes & saints

The Wonder Years

Twice a week
I pass by the church that held your funeral
And the pastor's words come pouring down like rain
How he called you a sinner
And said now you walk with Jesus
So the drugs that took your life
Aren't gonna cause you any pain

I don't think he even knew your name
And I refused to kneel or pray
I won't remember you that way
I lit you a candle in every cathedral across europe
I hope you know you're still my patron saint

I tried to forgive but I can't forget
The cigar in his fist
I know that they were heartsick
But I need someone to blame
And I know how they blame me
I know what you'd say
You'd tell me it was your fault
I should put all my arrows away

I'm sure there ain't a heaven
But that don't mean I don't like to picture you there
I'll bet you're bumming cigarettes off saints
I'm sure you're still singing
But I'll bet that you're still just a bit out of key
With that crooked smile pushing words across your teeth

Cause you were heat lightning
Yeah you were a storm that never rolled in
You were the northern lights in a southern town
A caustic fleeting thing
I'll bury your memories in the garden
I'll watch them grow with the flowers in the spring
I'll keep you with me

These wolves in their suits and ties
Saying, "kid you can trust me"
Charming southern drawl, sunken eyes
Buying good will in hotel lobbies
They got fistfuls of pills
To make sure you don't hurt no more
You don't gotta feel anything
Got their fangs in our veins
Got their voice in our heads
Got our arms in their grips
No, we can't shake free

This God damn machine; hungry and heartless
My whole generation got lost in the margin
We put our faith in you. You turned a profit
Now we're drowning here under your waves
(We're no saviors if we can't save our brothers)
Drowning held under your waves
(We're no saviors if we can't save our brothers)
Drowning here. Drowning here
You can't have my friends
You can't have my brothers
You can't have my friends
You can't have my brothers
You can't have my friends
You can't have my brothers
You can't have me. No, you can't have me