Night Watchman Lyrics

My name is Hank Low, I was born on Christmas eve
My Daddy wasn't there, he was talking with the police
A neighbour called it in, he was hitting mom again, again, again

No ambulance came, only stuttered grief
Ma fell asleep on the couch while my brother played with me
No charges pressed, soon dad was home, home, home

Busted lip, milk and cheese
At the grocery store, eyes looking down at me
Six years old, bubble gum hid in my hand in my pocket

Now Ma only cried when she watched TV
At night I'd lie awake till Dad fell asleep
Come fourth grade my Ma held me and called me her little night watchman

My brother fell sick when he turned fifteen
His eyes went dark, his head went mean
I cried and cried, the night he died, alone, alone

So Ma went down to the Welfare House
See money got smaller since Frankie killed himself
And Dad blamed Ma, put her head through a wall, put her head through a wall

I came up slow behind, moving awfully quiet
I remember the summer crickets, I stabbed him thirty times
My name is Hank Low, I was thirteen years old, I was the night watchman