Dust Bowl

10,000 Maniacs · Trilogy [2005]

I should know to leave them home

They follow me through the store with these toys I can't afford

Kids, take them back, you know better than that

Dolls that talk, astronauts, t.v. games, airplanes

They don't understand and how can I explain?



I try and try but I can't save

Pennies, nickels dollars slip away

I've tried and tried but I can't save



My youngest girl has bad fever, sure

All night with alcohol to cool and rub her down

Ruby, I'm tired, try and get some sleep

I'm adding doctor's fees to remedies

With the cost of three day's work lost



I try and try but I can't save

Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away

I've tried and tried but I can't save



The hole in my pocketbook is growing

There's a new wind blowing they say

It's gonna be a cold, cold one

So brace yourselves my darlings

It won't bring anything much our way

But more bust bowl days



I played a card in this weeks game

Took the first and the last letters in three of their names

This lottery's been building up for weeks

I could be lucky me with the five million prize

Tears of disbelief spilling out of my eyes



I try and try but I can't save

Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away

I've tried and tried but I can't save



The hole in my pocketbook is growing

There's a new wind blowing they say

It's gonna be a cold, cold one

So brace yourselves my darlings

It won't bring anything much our way

But more dust bowl days