Music and lyrics by Damon Waitkus

Lyrics

Point the gun at the X above the eyes,
pull the trigger, pull the trigger,
slit the throat of the carcass where it lies,
pump the foreleg, get the blood out,
cut the head and the balls and then the feet,
keep a sharp blade, keep a sharp blade,
peel the hide, top to bottom, from the meat,
clear the offal: this is God’s work.
Split the trunk down the center, front to back,
hose the stone down, hose the stone down,
hang the halves seven days upon the rack,
keep the flies out: this is God’s work.

Take your kill to the butcher,
he will cut you a deal,
he will weigh it and wrap it in paper.
You will know from the moment
that you look in his eyes:
everyone else lies

I have a heart that sings to me
of all the things I will not see:
the sob of laughter in the street,
the very ground beneath my feet.

Before the prophet, before the lamb,
slips the blade of Abraham:
stabs the pain of contradiction,
burns the heat of inner friction.

Place your trust in the butcher,
he will cut you a deal,
he will weigh it and wrap it in paper.
You will know from the moment
that you look in his eyes:
everyone, everyone…

Personnel

Thea Kelley – lead and backing vocals
Damon Waitkus – baritone electric and acoustic guitars, lead and backing vocals, electric taishogoto, psaltery, music box, percussion, pianet, melodica, slide whistle
Emily Packard – violin, viola
Jason Hoopes – bass
Jordan Glenn – drums, accordion
Ivor Holloway – clarinet