Cigarettes & Saints

Twice a week I pass by the church that held your funeral

And the pastor's words come pouring down like rain

How he called you a sinner and said now you walk with Jesus

So the drugs that took your life aren't gonna cause you any pain

I don't think he even knew your name

And I refuse to kneel and pray

I won't remember you that way

I lit you a candle in every cathedral across Europe

And I hope you know you're still my patron saint

I tried to forgive, but I can't forget the cigar in his fist

I know that they were heartsick, but I need someone to blame

And I know how they blamed me

I know what you'd say

You'd tell me it was your fault

I should put all my arrows away

I'm sure there ain't a heaven

But that don't mean I don't like to picture you there

I'll bet you're bumming cigarettes off saints

And I'm sure you're still singing

But I'll bet that you're still just a bit out of key

That crooked smile pushing words across your teeth

Cause you were heat lightning

Yeah, you were a storm that never rolled in

You were the northern lights in a southern town

A caustic fleeting thing

I'll bury your memories in the garden

And watch them grow with the flowers in spring

I'll keep you with me

These wolves in their suits and ties

Saying, "Kid, you can trust me"

Charming southern drawl, sunken eyes

Buying good will in hotel lobbies

Buy fistfuls of pills to make sure you don't hurt no more

You don't gotta feel anything

Got their fangs in our veins

Got their voice in our head

Got our arms in their grips

No, we can't shake free

This goddamn machine, hungry and heartless

My whole generation got lost in the margin

We put our faith in you and you turned a profit

Now we're drowning here under the waves

(We're no saviors if we can't save our brothers)

Drowning out under the waves

(We're no saviors if we can't save our brothers)

Drowning out, drowning out

You can't have my friends

You can't have my brothers

You can't have my friends

You can't have my brothers

You can't have my friends

You can't have my brothers

You can't have me

No, you can't have me