PAYING WHAT I OWE
I stole the kisses when the bride was young
hid the razor blade beneath my tongue
stuck my shovel in a shallow grave
sold myself one sad and wicked slave

but I ain't got time for fun and games no more
I'm staying in my hotel room and lock the door
tomorrow I'll be on the bus again
and I'll call the faithful driver my best friend
here I go

(chorus)
paying what I owe
paying what I owe
paying what I owe
paying what I owe
no mercy

well, I made commotions in a sleepy little Southern town
spilled the purple wine all down her wedding gown
when the son starts speaking in tongues he's cast away
but he just might make it back again someday

and so every Sunday morning I'm dressing in red
no shoes on my feet Godamighty but a tophat on my head
and on my shirt the painted butterfly
you know you're never gonna come clean until you die
so here I go

(chorus)

because I'm homesick for soul food
and Missy's moonshine
I can smell her bread baking
feel the curve of her spine
I feel the curve of her spine

and so I'm paying it all
I perceive no mercy at all
I'm paying it all
there ain't no mercy at all

paying what I owe