Lester Ballard
Written c. 1996
Release history
None
Lyrics
Holy law is written in the blood of man
it doesn’t bend and never breaks
Sister, my sister, who you lyin’ to?
I know where you’ve beenSecond time you don’t come home, you break your brother’s heart
Stick to your own
Your every fear is what you vanquish
Their laws are not our lawsSo take a stranger to the barn
You’ll never know what you take on
Tell me how to love my brother
Family seeks nothing otherI’ve paid a price to take you on
Rock renders loam
Filthy heel swelled with wine
Some unwashed foot in my mouth is pryin’ off my jawTake a stranger to the barn
You never know what you take on
Tell me how to love my brother
Family seeks nothing otherToo much advice, dad
References
- Lester Ballard is the main character in Cormac McCarthy’s 1973 novel Child of God.
Notes
- Shortlisted for Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?FLK
- A live version has been circulating since 1999 or 2000.