Jack

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

Bottle o’ Jack in his hand.

Blood runnin’ down the side of my head

Watchin’ him there, wishin’ him dead.

 

My ears ringin’ from another blow

Just another day in our home.

What I did I’ll never understand

We were ruled by the bottle and the back of a hand.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

A broken kite in my hand.

He tossed that kite into the lake

Took another drink for my sake.

 

Told me toys weren’t meant for men

Have a drink son, you’ll feel better then.

I dove into the water to get my lost toy

Old Man on the shore gigglin’ like a boy.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

High school diploma in my hand.

He slapped my face, said he had no degree

Don’t you go thinkin’ you’re better’n me.

 

Broke my nose for actin’ so  smart

Stumbled a bit, let out a fart.

He raised a bottle, took a sip o’ Jack

Burped out loud, then turned his back.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

Military orders in my hand.

He stared at my orders, looked all around

Let out a chuckle, threw them to the ground.

 

He raised his bottle, wished me luck

Didn’t turn around, didn’t get up.

He toasted me, said come home soon

Took another sip, passed out by noon.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

Blood of my Mama on my hand.

Missin’ an arm from a sniper’s gun

He patted my stub, said welcome home son.

 

I showed him the blood from poor Mama’s head

He shrugged his shoulders, said 'sorry, she’s dead'.

Supper was cold, ran out of Jack

She pissed me off, so I gave her a whack.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

Bottle o’ Jack in my hand.

He smirked a bit, said ‘time for a drink’

Took one last sip, then gave me a wink.

 

Said it was high time he bought me a shot

Show me you’re a man, let’s see what you got.

So I lifted Jack up and with all my hate

Brought him down on my Old Man’s skull by the lake.

 

Went down by the lake to see my Old Man

Rusty old shovel in my hand.

His bloated carcass lay lifeless in the rain

And I knew he’d never hit anyone again.

 

I buried him there in a potato sack

My old man and his bottle o’ Jack.

A bottlecap there to mark his grave

Then I burned the house and headed off to L.A.