Marie

I stood in line and I left my name
Took about six hours or so
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
They said they'd let me know
I put in my time till the Pocono line
Shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission until I met Marie
Now I can't stay there no more

Fella across town said he's looking for a man
To move some old cars around
Maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out van
And do a little settling down
But I'm just dreaming, I ain't got no ride
And the junkyard's a pretty good ways
That job's about a half a week old besides
We'd be gone anyway

Unemployment said I got no more checks
They showed me to the hall
My brother died in Georgia some time ago
Got no one left to call
The summer wasn't bad below the bridge
A little short on food, that's all
Now I got to get Marie some kind of coat
We're headed down in the fall

I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
Hustled up a little dough
But I got drunk and I woke up rolled
A couple of months ago
Well, they got my harp, got my dollar
Them lowlife so-and-sos
Harps cost money and I ain't got it
It's my own fault, I suppose

Well, the Pocono's down but the Chesapeake's running
Two freights everyday
If it was just me, I'd be headed south
But Marie can't catch no train
Well, she's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby
Says we got to wait and see
In my heart, I know it's a little boy
God, I hope he don't end up like me

Well, the man's still grinning, says he lost my file
Gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him, but I just say no
Had enough of that line, my friend
Headed back to the bridge, it's getting kind of cold
Feeling too lowdown to lie
I guess I have to tell Marie the truth
Hope she don't break down and cry

Well, Marie she didn't wake up this morning
Didn't even try
Just rolled over and went to heaven
My little boy safe inside
Well, I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
Caught a Chesapeake on the fly
Marie will know that I'm headed south
So's to meet me by and by
Marie will know that I'm headed south
So's to meet me by and by