Mesmerine, she is so careless, she wears her crown so well
In the housing project campus untouched through her porcelain shell
Yes I knew her that way long ago, to her I bear no ill
I know of none that would die for her but I know plenty who would kill
To Mesmerine across the shore, I bid a fond goodbye
Cuz you never ask for nothing when the devils prophesy
The seat beside me vacant in plaid Napoleon’s lair
I had to fill it up with magazines and pretend that I don’t care
And Germany with her hair cut short and her youth a dawn away
Asks me for some more advice like she does every day
And I myself am raking dust in the calm before the cry
Listening to photographs as the devils prophesy
Deridder waits up on the docks blowing smoke rings in the air
Writing questions in the water and dreaming of the one he left there
Saint Peter on the barge approaching he wails a lonesome song
Not knowing in his self-ascribed position that he’s singing it all wrong
His seraphims sound trumpets and never wonder why
Unknowingly playing the score for the devils’ prophesy
J.D. Salinger in the dance hall, he wears his pain with grace
He missed his prime some years ago and had to drop out of the race
“Salud” he announces to no one taking a long pull from his drink
Puts his head down in his arms as the room begins to sink
Salinger he racks his body nightly with his rye
But even drunk you can’t escape from when the devils prophesy
Now Medea, she is weeping for time has passed in vain
As Plutarch sits on the balcony out in the rain
They share a common interest and discovered it too late
Medea wails an apology even as she evaporates
And Plutarch left behind, he hopes the memory soon will die
But hope’s a useless venue when the devils prophesy
credits
from Other Streets,
released December 30, 2001
Jak Locke: all instruments / vocals
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