At Home with the Blues


No truth without memory
and memory is destiny
world put the man in the hell cage
world doublechecked the lock
world walked away
world heaven forgot
his woman with the black eye
his babies without shoes
he wants to be home
with the Bethlehem news
he wants to be home,
at home with the blues.


No truth without memory
and memory is a miracle
of "I love yous" on the threshold
"I love yous" on the stairs
a harvest of hosannas
for anyone who cares
a hymn I half-remembered
from the second to last pew
all the ladies hear you sing it
all the ladies still want you
but I'm the one you choose
(a miracle a gift)
You want to understand me
I don't leave many clues
I just want to be home
at home with the blues.


No truth without memory
and memory's desire
in a happy forever
I don't want my fate sealed
I'm Lazarus's lady
I don't want to be healed
We can sit by the fire
I can sing you this sad song
and next thing you'll be
singing with me
singing right along
the way you always do
singing sad songs
with a smile in your voice
and nothing to lose
until I start to smile
and I smile back at you
This is where home is,
at home with the blues.


No truth without memory
and memory is destiny
and memory's desire
and memory is a miracle
and memory's a liar
I can sing along beside you
I will do what I can
but you already know
this is what I am
No truth without memory
no memory to lose
here at home by the fire,
at home with the blues.


~XineAnn