Lord, I'm discouraged

The circles have sucked in her eyes

Lord, I'm discouraged

Her new friends have shadowed her life

Lord, I'm discouraged

She ain't come out dancing for some time



And I'm trying to light candles

But they burn down to nothing

And she keeps coming up with



Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

There's a house on the south side

Where she stays in for days at a time



I know I'm no angel

I ain't been bad that way

Can't you hear her?

She's that sweet missing songbird

When the choir sings on Sundays

And I'm almost busted

But I bought back the jewelry she sold



And I come to your altar

And then there's just nothing

And she keeps insisting



The sutures and bruises are none of my business

She says that she's sick, but she won't get specific

The sutures and bruises are none of my business

This guy from the north side comes down to visit

His visits, they only take five or six minutes



Lord, I'm sorry to question your wisdom

But my faith has been wavering

Won't you show me a sign

And let me know that you're listening?



Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine

I know it's unlikely she'll ever be mine

So I mostly just pray she don't die