St. Joseph

04:41
Andy Livingston
2012
Andy Livingston

Story

This song has been with me for a long time. Explicitly, it is a rehashing of the story of the prodigal son. Beyond that, though, I think the song is trying to communicate both sides of the “leaving/being left” story. To those of us who leave, are we ever fully aware of the cost? I suppose someone always has to lose, but still I always catch myself dropping bread crumbs along the path in hopes that I will always be able to find my way home.

Lyrics

Hey there friend, who are you here for?
Or do you just like graveyards,
no, I see you brought your wife yellow roses.
It’s 3 AM have you seen my son?
He’s been missing since October.
But he knows his way home,
and he says “no” to strangers
and he still has a friend in
Saint Joseph
 
He gave it all away
 
Excuse me sir, do you have a light
to sacrifice my darkness? Well,
I brought a knife and I built my own altar. 
It’s time to face now what I’ve become
as I count my silver pieces.
But I remember my name
and I am not afraid of matches
and I’ll find my way home
because I say “no” to strangers
and I will always have a friend in
Saint Joseph
 
I gave it all away
 
tell the truth unless it hurts
tell the truth unless it hurts
tell the truth unless it hurts
sometimes, my boy, it’s going to hurt

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