Have you ever heard of Pentecost?
That’s what I am.
Pentecostal.
Do you know that Story?
How the Jews’ heads lit up on fire
How their tongues sang a tune they did not know
In the key of God

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
They spoke “with other tongues," as the Spirit gave them utterance.

So yes there were times
When he just wouldn’t let it alone, you know
My bad check or jail letters or sprawled on the bathroom floor
He’d come home, find me
On the floor that only I ever cleaned
Just would not let it go
And I would’ve taken it for him
I would’ve known he was only killing that ill and hungry pain
Always in the center of the brain
Cause we all know the medicine
the need for the medicine
is bigger than the body itself

You’ve had that pain
I see it on your face
we all have

“I can't bear up under all of this.
I can't bear up under all of this.
I can't bear up under all of this.
I can't stand it much longer”

Something just went hot-white
My head caught alight
A shiver of a mem’ry
My mother silver shrill inside my ear
Singletary’s on the shelf
To kill ants and roaches
It’s 60 cents
It’s only 60 cents--

CHORUS:
You think he's gonna sing low, the devil
But his voice is high, way way high
He clangs the church bell
And sings along high, way way high
You think he's gonna sing low, the devil
But his voice is high, way way high
High
So high
Like mine

You think his voice is quiet, the devil
And it is, oh yes it is
You were right about that part
And it is, oh yes it is
You think his voice is quiet the devil
It is yes it is
Like when you’re alone and no one is around

But here's the thing you don't know
Til he comes to blow his black blessing in your ear
Here's the thing you don't know
Til he breaks the bloody egg in your mouth--

He sounds just like you girl
Just like you
You can't tell him apart
Tell him apart from you
He’s gonna use your own voice
That's the one he will choose
And what will you do, girl?
What will you choose? HA!

I saw the pink dress
Up there in the window
Pink like a princess
Daddy saw me see it, saw me for once
He brought it home
Showed it to Mother
I was breathless
What did she say?

Be too hard to iron
Be too hard to iron
Too hard to iron
Too hard to iron

CHORUS:
You think he's gonna sing low, the devil
But his voice is high, way way high!
He clangs the church bell
And sings along high, way way high!
You think he's gonna sing low, the devil
But his voice is high, way way high
High, so high
Like mine

(ever heard something come out of your mouth and you’re not sure you mean it but now it is out and you’re not sure you said it but yeah you just said it and nothing will ever go back to before)

So if I had to give you
A bit of a clue,
Get to know your own voice
Cause it's his too
Listen for the change in your pitch, the catch
Stuff something in your mouth if you can reach it fast
Don’t give up, honey
Unless you hafta give in.
And if you hafta give in:

Let the black blessings blow.