The Match

It’s a man’s luck
To get to play strong but be weak
And it’s a woman’s lot
I gotta play weak but be stronger
And it’s a wonder
I ever learned how to speak
It’s a wonder
If I’m hanging around here much longer
In this small-minded, big-mouthed, well-bred but half-dead government town
You can think that
But don’t say it aloud
You can do that all you like
But you better not act too proud
We got standards of what is and what ain’t allowed
Take that to heart or take it out
And if my life’s a candle
Then you know my tongue’s a match
And if you wanna get catty about I’ll start from scratch
One thing mamma told me not to do
She said, «Baby, don’t ever suffer fools.»
It’s a goddamn waste of time
It’s a goddamn waste of your time
You take that politeness and I’ll keep it with mine
Go out and get it with your mind