Chalk

[Verse 1] Desert heat breathing on my neck Row of bombs in the desert light Silver teeth on a loading deck Waiting for the night I pull my gloves on slow Desert dust on my hands number and it’s gone [Chorus] So I write in chalk on the side “Lord, let this one miss tonight” Let it fall in an empty field Where the only sound’s the wind at night I don’t want blood in my sleep Don’t want faces in my mind So I’m praying this one flies and flies And never finds a life [Verse 2] Old man on the TV screen Talking tough from a leather chair Smiling like it’s some damn parade While we’re breathing jet fuel air They call him hero Call it duty, call it pride But his war’s a pen and a microphone Mine’s the steel I bolt inside [Chorus] So I write in chalk on the side “Lord, let this one miss tonight” Let it fall in an empty field Disappear into the sky ’Cause I ain’t wearing his crown When another town ignites I’m just praying this one flies and flies And never finds a life [Bridge] Maybe I’m a coward For standing on this line Maybe I’m a liar Every time I say I’m fine But this little line of powder And the prayer I leave below “Please don’t hit nobody” Is the only truth I know [Final Chorus] So I write in chalk on the side “Lord, let this one miss tonight” Let it fall in an empty field Let it rust there out of sight I’m tired of their speeches Tired of their alibis I’m just praying this one flies and flies And never finds a life