Life Boat Songtext

von Ani Difranco

Every time I open my mouth
Or take off my clothes
I am raw and frostbitten
From being exposed

I got red scabby hands
And purple scabby feet
And you can smell me coming
From half way down the street

And I remember that old hotel had quite the smell
Where I would go to use the phone
Between the donut shop and the pizza parlor
Where I learned to live alone

Sweet sixteen and smiling
My way out of any jam
Learning the ways of the world, oh my
Learning the ways of man, oh

And I didn't really want a baby
And I guess that I had a choice
But I just let it grow inside me
Its persistent little voice

And I guess I got her off and running
And then run off is what she did
And that's a part of what I think about
When I think about that kid

So now there's nothing left to wish upon
Except the passing cars
The cacophony of city lights
Is drowning out the stars

This park bench is a life boat
And the rest a big dark sea
And I'm just gonna lie here
Until something comes and finds me

Yeah, I got this tired old face
Still grinning most of the time
Just cause it don't have a better way
To express what's on its mind

And I got this running monolog
Entertaining in its outrage
And I've got the air of an animal
That's been living in a cage

Every time I open my mouth
Or take off my clothes
I am raw and frostbitten
From being exposed

I got red scabby hands
And purple scabby feet
And you can smell me coming
From half way down the street