he walks the streets collar up to the snowfall. holes in pockets and knees. sleeps in bar rooms and horse stalls. but you can't stay too long in one place. "move along kid, we don't like your face." mother's hold children close out of fear. father's curse under breath as they sneer. he walks the streets, years pass by with the snowfall. time is wasted in drink, days begging and lost souls. holds no merit in vagrants in boxcars. down in hell you best know who your friends are. "not so proud scrounging for your next meal. no alibis sold when with devils you deal. how does it feel to be all alone with no direction? home is never home, it's just the place where you came from." "home is never home," writ on walls of the church and the hostels. "home is never home," said by martyrs and lost souls. "home is never home," said the prophet in plain clothes as he strummed his guitar. and he screamed, and he sang.

Well I've been tired cause I don't sleep that well on trains
well I got ups and downs but day are all the same
I've been low but it never gets me down
well ive been thwon out ive been let down ive been shamed
well ive had hardships ive been stripped of pride and name
ive been low but it never gets me down
nights spent drinking all the worry from my head and days spent wandering wishing i was dead
if only i could muster the words out from my mouth i would sing oh i would sing
id take the next train out
cause ive been hoping ive been praying theres some god so when i die im saved and found and im not lost
cause all hes done for me is take away the ones i love


Lyrics submitted by dividenconquer

Prophet In Plain Clothes song meanings
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    My Opinion

    I'm pretty sure that the "prophet in plain clothes" is the man depicted in the Lost Ground EP.

    chefbroardeeon July 30, 2011   Link

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