Papa’s Got a Brand New Scheme (Backwoods Noir)

[Verse] We lived in a shack where the pine trees creaked Mama made soup and the roof always leaked Daddy sat quiet with a jar of shine Said, “One day, kids, this’ll all be mine” But one by one, we started to fade Sis disappeared near the trout stockade Ma fell sick, but she smiled too wide Guess Daddy had plans he didn’t confide [Chorus] Papa’s got a brand new scheme Buried dreams by the old ravine Whistles hymns while he wipes his blade Says love’s just work that never gets paid Papa’s got a brand new plan Built it deep in the frying pan Don’t ask where the cousins went Or why the axe is slightly bent [Verse] Uncle Joe came to check on the land Left with a shovel in his right hand Never seen a man wave that stiff Guess the creek’s got a brand-new cliff Little bro said he heard Ma’s voice But the wind in the trees don’t give no choice Daddy smiled with his toothless grin Said, “Boy, that’s where the spirits been” [Verse] He carved a poem on the cellar wall About blood, love, and the county law Said the world’s too loud and the bills too steep And his favorite song is the sound of sleep Neighbors came, but they didn’t stay Dogs went wild, then ran away Me and the shadows, we learned to cope Hug the trees and chew on hope [Chorus] Papa’s got a brand new scheme Laced the pies with a side of dream Keeps a grin in a pickle jar Tells the moon he’s a movie star Papa’s got a brand new trick Lights the fire with a candlestick Don’t ask why the beds are cold Just listen close to the tales he told [Bridge] Down by the stump where the lilies bloom There’s room for one more in Mama’s room If you hear the saw, don’t run too fast He hates goodbyes, but he makes them last [Final Chorus] Papa’s got a brand new scheme Paints the walls with kerosene Loves us all in his special way That’s why we ain’t seen the sun today Papa’s got a brand new grin Says "Family's where the end begins" So if he hums that lullaby— Don’t look up and don’t ask why [Outro] —"Shhh... go to sleep now..."