'Lo and behold your mother is drinking again

This might be the coldest winter since records began

You were alone and steady with wintry calm

Leading the children softly across the fold

In the morning you march your sisters like soldiers to school
'Cause lo and behold your father has drunk quite a few

You were alone and steady with wintry calm

Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark

But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail

you And say 'my love, you take the cards that you're dealt'

There's no guiding light arcing a line to Bethlehem

And when it's dark outside, you light the fire yourself

Darling when the ice caps melt
When the devils in the bible belt
Don't you cower in your bed

I'll be at the five-four-five

You can meet me at the railway line
Don't look so staid

'Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk

And the trick of it is, don't be afraid anymore

Oh, the trick of it is, don't be afraid anymore