[Verse 1] Five complaints before the coffee's warm Call lights chirp like they own the floor Boss says, “Smile, we're short again” Sure, I'll add that to my list of ten Your pen went missing? What a crime I'll launch a search between the meds and time The schedule's held together with a thread And somehow I'm the one they send ahead [Chorus] This work ain't pretty Honey, neither am I You can keep your little comments I'll keep the place alive Cold coffee, tired eyes And a grin I can't defend You call it “just a busy day” Come work it till the end (Beautiful messes) [Verse 2] Hold a hand when fear takes over Tell a daughter her mom's at rest Then break up a hallway argument With a badge and a practiced breath Patch the scrape, explain the plan Find the chart that wandered off again Someone says, “You look so calm today” That's because my last nerve moved away [Pre-Chorus] Funny how a tiny thank-you Can keep a tired heart in place Though if one more person says “quick favor” I may need a little space [Chorus] This work ain't pretty Honey, neither am I You can keep your little comments I'll keep the place alive Care plans, stacks of paper And a call bell round the bend You call it “just a busy day” Come work it till the end (Beautiful messes) [Bridge] I'm not polished, not pristine Still the sharpest thing you've seen Patients swing; I plant my feet Kleenex tucked beside the sheet Everybody's got advice to share Funny, no one takes the extra chair [Instrumental] [Final Chorus] This work ain't pretty Honey, neither am I I've heard the grand critiques From folks who wouldn't last till five The call-ins and complaints The long nights we got through If beauty grows in messes Well, I've got receipts to prove (Beautiful messes) [Outro] They say this job is thankless That's a charming point of view You've never stood right here, dear So what would you know?
