Blackout Sam - The Hold Steady

That winter we were dealing with unrest in the interior

Careful when they mention local legends

He was down there in the trenches

She was holding down home office

Still in constant correspondence

Blackout Sam has got credentials

He keeps flashing them his laminate

He keeps scratching at his neck

The general made a gesture of contrition

Law of averages says something’s gotta give

We were stuck up in survival mode

You were twisting on the telephone

Giving blanket denials to that one persistent kid

Blackout Sam don’t have the answer

He keeps waking up in parking ramps

He can never find his keys

Now promise me you won’t forget

The nights that haven’t happened yet

Separate the smoke from all the cinders

Put another sticker on the van

Carpet at the party house, tear it up and take it out

Somebody should check on Blackout Sam

While we stood there at the service

With her hand up on my shoulder

We could feel like every single thing

Push the pill right through the foil

Check the engine, change the oil

Spent the summer wishing it was spring

They sent another man to sing the anthem

But the monitor malfunctioned and he couldn’t find the key

I always try to take it so much further

Spinning like a sparrow through the spire

Ingesting every offering, try to make it interesting

Cut up and consumed what we desired

Take a little comfort, it’s just thunder

Put another sticker on the van

Now that it’s a haunted house

Break the lease and empty out

Somebody should check on Blackout Sam

Somebody should check on Blackout Sam

Dropped out of school but he still went to church

He was a friend of mine and I hope it didn’t hurt

Cried when he died but tonight it felt worse

Snuff out your smoke and pour your drink in the dirt

Local legends with the faraway eyes

I wanna make you feel protected and high

If you’re in the city while you’re still alive

I wanna make you feel protected and high

Local legends with the faraway eyes

I wanna make you feel protected and high