Nation of Heat

from Nation of Heat by Joe Pug

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lyrics

Across from the prison and beside the great lake
Below the rooftops and above the highway
The spirits pay rent on the basements they haunt
And the painters just draw pictures
Of the things that they want
I cook my dinner on the blacktop street
I come from the Nation of Heat

Outside the train station there’s a bold painted sign
It says try to be patient don’t forget to choose sides
We got the loudest explosions that you ever heard
We got two dollar soldiers and ten dollar words
If I didn’t own boots I wouldn’t need feet
I come from the Nation of Heat

So swift and so vicious are the carnival rides
And the carnival barker will yell your name for a bribe
We got billboards for love and Japanese cars
It ain’t rare to hear the streetlights call themselves stars
The more that I learn the more that I cheat
I come from the Nation of Heat

I’ve seen skeleton mothers and hungry folks
Across the street from the kitchens that cook dinner the most
Sometimes you hear whispers by the dark of the moon
That we promised too much and gave it too soon
Even our coughs and our fevers compete
I come from the Nation of Heat

Blocking borders with smiles are immigrant sons
We measure loneliness in miles and misery in tons
There’s a straw-hatted man rowing away from the shore
He says it’s a shame they don’t let you have slaves here anymore
I’m the ugliest man that you’ll ever meet
I come from the Nation of Heat

credits

from Nation of Heat, released February 14, 2008

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Joe Pug Maryland

A singer-songwriter known for his lyrical acumen and plaintive harmonica style. Paste Magazine wrote of his music: “Unless your surname is Dylan, Waits, Ritter or Prine, you could face-palm yourself to death trying to pen songs half as inspired”.

He has appeared at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and The Newport Folk Festival.

Additionally, he is the creator and host of The Working Songwriter podcast. ... more

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