The Shift Change Splits the Streets Lyrics

Lyric discussion by deadfinch 

Cover art for The Shift Change Splits the Streets lyrics by Kevin Devine

I'm not too sure about the meaning behind this song, but I suspect that the first verse is about heroin (as many of KD's songs tend to be about drugs). "pins through the pavement"... needle through black tar heroin maybe?

Then the second verse could be about just stealing money and spending it on booze. Again, not 100% sure. He may have been doing this while his brother Michael (now deceased) was "digging his own grave"...

And the last verse I've yet to contemplate, but this is one of my fave songs from him so I'll keep trying :)