Music and lyrics by Damon Waitkus

Lyrics

In a blacklit basement room,
Darryl’s hammering in the gloom.
The studio is almost ready,
inheritance almost gone.
With the windows carpeted over,
there’s no telling the time of day.

John and Josie pay the rent.
The studio has not made a cent.
Darryl has yet to advertise,
“But hey,” John says, “It’s his vision.”
“Get out of bed, baby!” Josie bellows,
“The bowl’s not gonna pack itself!”

And Darryl says:
“Don’t ask me nothing. I got nothing, so I’m free,
and nothing’s so hard to come by.
I’ve got my cactus and a map to find myself.
I only ask that you let me
(let me alone).

Darryl digs through photographs.
“That’s Himself, there,” he says and laughs.
It’s his old man standing in a shipyard,
gazing out to sea.
He says, “You know what the bastard was thinking, don’t you:
Maybe I could get out now.”

“Don’t ask me nothing. I got nothing, so I’m free,
and nothing’s so hard to come by.
I’ve got my cactus and a map to find myself.
I only ask that you let me
(let me alone).

In the isolation booth, Darryl fingers a poky truth:
John and Josie have flown the coop.
The house is up for sale.
“Oh well, Stone Cold Steve Cactus, I guess that’s that,”
he says, “Maybe you’d like Mojave.”

Personnel

Damon Waitkus – vocals, acoustic and baritone electric guitars, bass, piano, banjo, autoharp, percussion
Emily Packard – violin
Victor Reynolds – recorders, alto sax, electric guitar solo, 12-string electric guitar
Brad Mehlenbacher – drums