Natalie Merchant Lyrics

Dust Bowl

Dust Bowl
I should know to leave them home. They follow me through the store with
these toys I can't afford. "Kids, take them back, you know better than that."
Dolls that talk, astronauts, T.V. games, airplanes, they don't understand and
how can I explain? I try and try but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars
slip away. I've tried and tried but I can't save.
My youngest girl has bad fever, sure. All night with alcohol trying to
cool and to rub her down. Ruby, I'm tired, try and get some sleep. I'm adding
doctor's fees to remedies to the cost of three day's work lost. I try and try
but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away. I've tried and tried but
I can't save. The hole in my pocketbook is growing.
There's a new wind blowing they say, it's gonna be a cold, cold one. So
brace yourselves my darlings, it won't bring anything much our way but more
dust bowl days.
I played a card in this weeks game. Took the first and the last letters
in three of their names. This lottery's been building up for weeks. I could be
lucky me with the five million prize, tears of disbelief spilling out of my
eyes. I try and try but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away. I've
tried and tried but I can't save. The hole in my pocketbook is growing.
There's a new wind blowing they say, it's gonna be a cold, cold one. So
brace yourselves my darlings, it won't bring anything much our way but more
dust bowl days.