water dries (rewrite 1)

I know this man

he works for the state

he tends to the land

with a shovel and a rake, and he

follows the sunshine, but sometimes

the raindrops, they fall on his head

now me, I'd be cussin' and cryin'

but this is what he said

          water dries

          the skies, they clear

          water flies into the atmosphere

          water dries

          it ain't no crime

          everything changes with the passing of time

so look at this man

he works really hard

he does what he can

like it's his own back yard, and he says

there's no use worrying

about the way that it all will turn out

you just do the best that you can

that's what it's all about

          water dries...

it's not like the hard times

don't knock upon his door

he just decided he doesn't need them anymore

          water dries...

water dries

I know this man

he works for the state

he tends to the land

with a shovel and a rake, and he

follows the sunshine, but sometimes

the raindrops, they fall on his head

now me, I'd be cussin' and cryin'

but this is what he said

          water dries

          the skies, they clear

          water flies into the atmosphere

          water dries

          it ain't no crime

          everything changes with the passing of time

I know this man

he works really hard

he tends to the land

like it's his own back yard, and he says

there's no use worrying

about the way it all turns out

you just do the best that you can

that's what it's all about

          water dries...

it's not like the hard times'

don't knock upon his door

he just decided'he don't need them anymore

          water dries...

fuckin' pandemic

I have not met anyone new

since this fuckin' pandemic started

instead I sit at home

alone and brokenhearted

because time is passing me by

and time is moving quick

I think I'm going to be frightened

I think I'm going to be sick

every damn day is exactly the same

nothing ever changes here

the days turn into months so fast

soon it will have been two years

I wear my mask, I don't go out

I never see a friend

I have just about given up waiting

for this fuckin' pandemic to end

so what am I going to do now

the same as the day before

I'll wake up in the afternoon

and see what the day has in store

and if it's the same as yesterday

I will not complain

I do the things I need to do

because I want to remain sane

mercy on the backslider (rewrite 1)

take all your mistakes

put them in a basket

drive up the mountain

and throw them off the cliff

your heart will answer

anything you ask it

it knows that there's

something better than this

          and when the road is rocky

          and you want to be someone else

          have a little mercy on the backslider

          have a little mercy on yourself

you're filled with regret

cruel as a broken promise

you'd give anything

if you could try it all again

but you are not a loser

if we're being honest

just ask those around you

ask your family and friends

          and when the road is lonely

          more than any tongue can tell

          have a little mercy on the backslider

          have a little mercy on yourself

          keep a little faith

          in everything you do

          you just might discover

          that some dreams come true

          and when you're feeling desperate

          and you could use a little help

          have a little mercy on the backslider

          have a little mercy on yourself

I have tried my best (rewrite 1)

I have wandered this land looking for you

hoping that you'll appear

I've searched this whole world over

and all the time you were right here

give me shelter from the elements

the crippling storms, the howling wind

tell me when the time is right

time for me to try again

          where are you now

          I need you to tell me

          I am broken and battered

          and in desperate need of rest

          where are you now

          I need you to tell me

          I have done all that I could

          I have tried my best

I will not give up searching for you

no matter how I try

I keep thinking I'll see you

from the corner of my eye

keep me beside you in safety

take me back inside

where I will no longer

have to run and hide

          where are you now

          I need you to free me

          far away from the danger

          of being alone

          where are you now

          I have one request

          I need you to lead me

          I have tried my best

I have tried my best

I wander these streets looking for you

hoping that you'll appear

I've searched this whole town over

and all the time you were right here

give me shelter from the weather

the crippling storms, the howling wind

tell me when the time is right

time for me to try again

          where are you now

          I need you to tell me

          I am broken and battered

          and in desperate need of rest

          where are you now

          I need you to tell me

          I have done the best I could

          I have tried my best

the good daughter

she was the good daughter

she did everything she was supposed to do

she had it made

she made good grades 

hard work was all she knew

she was obedient

she did it all and even more

which is why

it was a surprise

when she walked on out the door