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Jack O' the Clock

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The Warm, Dark Circus

The Ladder Slipped

Record Details

Artist
Jack O' The Clock
Release
October 27, 2023

Music and lyrics by Damon Waitkus

Lyrics

Brother, would you talk me down?
I’m afraid that if I stop this truck
I will be tempted to reach in between
the seats and feel the heft
of my “just-in-case.”

Slick earth and the ladder slipped
and I landed twenty feet below,
a broken back, bruised ribs
and a pool of eggshell white.
So much for pushing brushes.

Came out of the hospital so deep in the hole
they were suggesting I climb on my friends—
prescribed enough “ocean” to drown a horse,
my God.

Brother, I am so afraid
but not for myself no more.
If I can’t provide, I’m worth more
dead than alive, no man am I.
No man am I.

Woke up this morning when the screen door slammed.
Guess the kid was heading off to school.
I started east as soon as I found a box of slugs
behind some paint cans.

I am a descendent of the great William Clark,
if only somebody gave half a crap.
“You’ve had your turn!” is all I hear.
Brother, when was that?

There’s a place my father used to go
to shoot off some rounds and howl
as he got drunk off his ass
and shattered all the glass
in a graveyard of old television sets.

I’m losing reception, man.
I’m going to lose you.
I’m going.
I’m going.

Personnel

Damon Waitkus – lead and backing vocals, banjo, hammer dulcimer, tongue drum, mbira, electric taishogoto, 12-string acoustic and baritone electric guitars, glockenspiel, percussion
Emily Packard – violin, viola
Jason Hoopes – bass
Jordan Glenn – drums, synth
Thea Kelley – backing vocals
Victor Reynolds – harmonica, tenor recorder
Karl Evangelista – electric guitar solo

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