verse 1
Hundreds of stories
Before I showed up
They'd tell them to me
And pull photos up
They're all connected
Like a pair of handcuffs
No one seemed affected
That everyone is fucked
But there was a softness
Some kind of understanding
Those 2am decisions
Always shaky landings
And no one ever knew
What could be demanded
Maybe it's the cards
The cards that she was handed
You called me up from a pay phone
I said "Hang tight, I can drive you home"
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
verse 2
I met her at a party
She'd come straight from work
Complained that the regulars
Were all a bunch of jerks
She always looked tired
But she dazzled as a drunk
She even pulled off
That stupid hair cut
She said, "I don't need a sponsor
Or the best lover
Just a man that sees me
As some fixer-upper
The last few years
I've been running for cover
Trying to sleep
So I can visit my mother"
You called me up from a pay phone
I said "Hang tight, I can drive you home"
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
When times were tough in the worst years
We never knew how to interfere
And now you're back and just unpacking
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting
Bridge
In September
When it goes off
Like some god damn
Alarm clock
And he hits her
Like a third shot
Conversations
She just stares off
There's no longer
A voice calling
When she goes out
Saying, "I'll be up waiting for you"
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh-Ooh-Ooh
x2
You called me up from a pay phone
I said "Hang tight, I can drive you home"
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
When times were tough in the worst years
We never knew how to interfere
And now you're back and just unpacking
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting
Outro
You call me up from a pay phone
You call me up from a pay phone
(x2)