Bones for Glory

from Miracle Strip by Matt Layne

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lyrics

Bones for Glory

The sound of the 5am train rolling through Birmingham,
steel wheels popping against iron tracks,
makes me want to rise from this half-sleep
and move my life like Woody would.
Gotta rise up outta this place,
wander the roads of this sweet earth;
gotta spread the word; make it heard
loud and painful as a train whistle at 5am
on the Southside of Birmingham.
Gonna tell the people what it’s about;
even if I gotta shout:
People, get up!
Wake up, people!
There's a song in you crying out to be heard;
crying out like a lone whistle in the night.
People gotta roll; throw them bedclothes off;
wake and moan and groan, and let them bones roll.
Wanna know what your future holds?
It’s in your bones.
Roll your bones to see what turns up.
People gotta kiss the morning
even when it’s got bad breath;
gotta ride the train in the morning.
Don't worry about where you'll be this afternoon;
that's the conductor's business.
They got your destination in mind.
Leave your baggage behind, though.
Conductor don’t want you cluttering
the train with all your extra baggage;
slowing it down. Conductor said,
ain’t no need to wonder what could’ve been;
what is is what is,
and that's the way we’re gonna be.
Right here; right now; in the here and now.
The past don’t hang around these parts.
And the future? The future is in your bones.
You got your bones; you got your future.
You got the train; you got your transportation.
Now get on board and ride.
The conductor will decide where you’re bound.
Stop standing round with your hands in your pockets,
your head bowed down like you’re ashamed of something.
Be proud.
Sing loud like a train kissing Birmingham good morning,
bad breath and all.

credits

from Miracle Strip, released August 31, 2022

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about

Matt Layne Birmingham, Alabama

Poet, librarian, raconteur; Matt Layne has been poking hornet's nests and looking under rocks since he was knee-high to a peanut peg.
I reckon you oughta check him out.