the mermaid
lyrics by Penelope Houston/ music by P. Houston and Mel Peppas


remember back to when you met her
she's sleeping on the stair
she's your sister and your mother
hollow eyes and drowning hair
catch her hand in shallow waters
you found her floating there
buoyant faith that never falters
keeps her head above the air
but you're no life boat
hey where is your lifeboat?

her name is sorrow

she paints her room in murky colors
the saints are her disguise
check her pulse she's barely breathing
catch the death wish in her eyes
get back in your lifeboat, father
you've taken half a foot of water

her name is sorrow she sleeps alone

come and see her string of sailors
like scarabs on a pin
every one he swore he'd save her
trapped out on the ice so thin
call the names of those you're saving
she's not drowning only waving
their tattoos stretched across her skin

her name is sorrow
she sleeps alone

you call the names of those you're saving
she's not drowning only waving
their tattoos stretched across her skin
but you're no life boat
where is your life boat?

her name is sorrow

From the karmal apple LP/CD

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