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.