Volunteer

My lover left me, she left me too soon
I shouldn't blame her for the state of my room
I started stumbling, chasing the bells
The metal straps upon my knees made this sound when I fell
And you heard those words from your peers
I was just your volunteer

We love Uncle Georgie, Uncle Georgie's our friend
He spends his life fishing, washes dishes weekends
And I tried to say something sincere
"Sign me up, I'll volunteer"

My father left us, he left us too soon
I thought he'd say something but he waltzed from the room
All I remember is my hands at my sides
The face of a woman who once was his bride
All that he left us was tears
And a couple of lonely volunteers
All that he left her was tears
And a couple of lonely volunteers

Now we look for Sister Mary, Sister Mary's the pale
She holds her head sometimes and walks close to the rail
She sings on a Sunday, stands in the church
Haunts me at night time when I've forgotten my prayers
And we don't see much of her here
That winter-weary volunteer

Captains need order
Helps them stay sane
And plumbers hate slaughter
'Cause it fucks up the drains
Hard hats must be worn at all times on the site
It makes no difference if you're lost in the light
The men here have lost their careers
And they don't talk to the volunteers

How your life cuts me, cuts to my bone
We pretend that it's nothing when we're on our way home
And I wish you'd abandon me here
So I could be your volunteer