Sugar Tongue
Indigo Girls · Poseidon and the Bitter Bug [2009]
Cause our better is their worst reckonin'
And our fine-feathered friends will sing until they bleed
And how will we replace that symphony?
I've got the blackest boots, the whitest skin
Satisfy my sugar tongue again
Bring me love that buys us shoe-shine days
Guilded verses for your ethylene
And sing it to me free and clean
All the kids come home with foreign limbs
From hunting trips abroad they lose again
And we'll teach them how to talk
And whistle while they walk
And do the dirty work of battle hymns
I've got the blackest boots, the whitest skin
Satisfy my sugar tongue again
Sing me love that buys us shoe-shine days
Guilded verses for your ethylene
And sing it to me free and clean
Drinking tea with milk and Janjaweed
Pontificate on genocide or greed
With a spoonful of descent
For the orchestra of need
Is just enough to please this colony
I've got the blackest boots, the whitest skin
Satisfy my sugar tongue again
Bring me lullabies and morphine-dreams
Belladonna with her atropine
And sing it to me free and clean
Sugar Tongue
Sugar Tongue appears on the 2009 album Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, marking a significant moment in the Indigo Girls' extensive discography. By this era, the duo had long established themselves as pillars of folk-rock, known for blending acoustic instrumentation with socially conscious songwriting. This recording reflects their mature sound, characterized by harmonious vocals and thoughtful lyrical construction that avoids cliché. The track fits within a broader body of work that consistently explores themes of personal resilience and human connection. As part of their later catalog, the song demonstrates the artists' enduring ability to craft intimate narratives that resonate with longtime fans while maintaining the melodic clarity that defined their early career. It stands as a testament to their continued relevance in the genre.