'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
And you 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