[Verse 1] (calypso guitar, clawhammer banjo, brushed drums) You never told a soul a thing but somehow it's around Your car outside the wrong address, your name in the lost-and-found The town's a quiet office and it keeps a careful file On every coming, every going, every borrowed mile [Chorus] (full band, steel pan, group harmonies) It's public information in a town this size What you did on Friday's written in the cashier's eyes You don't have to say it, friend, they already know The whole place is a ledger and you're a line they show [Verse 2] (banjo and fiddle, upright bass two-feel) The waitress knows your order and the reason that you came The barber holds a history he'll never call by name A girl's whole reputation gets decided at the store And nobody was told a thing, they simply kept the score [Chorus] (fuller, slide guitar) It's public information in a town this size What you did on Friday's written in the cashier's eyes You don't have to say it, friend, they already know The whole place is a ledger and you're a line they show [Bridge] (drums drop, fiddle and organ only) It's a prison and a blessing, being held inside their sight You can't get away with anything, but you're never out of mind When the trouble finally finds you, when you're flat upon the floor The same town that knew your business is the one that's at your door [Banjo and Steel Break] (clawhammer banjo and pedal steel trading) [Chorus] (final, stacked harmonies) It's public information, every joy and every sin They knew before you knew it, they could see the shape you're in You don't have to tell them, no, they read it in the air The whole place is a ledger, and it keeps you, and it cares [Outro] (banjo and steel fading) The porch lights blink their knowing down the long and watching street (they know, they know) And the knowing's almost sweet
