Alliswell - Home of the Redbirds Lyrics

I must've been four or five years old
You must've been seven or eight
Playing with dinosaurs in the backyard
When we heard the gunshot and the window break

Dad burst through the backdoor
His eyes were as wild as his hair
He asked us where the sound came from
You pointed to the neighbor's house, said, "Over there"

Dad found him on his kitchen floor
A gun pointed in his mouth
He slurred he wanted to end it all
Dad held out his hand, said, "Now, just calm down"

Now there are men all pilled out riding BMX bikes down our street
I went to high school with them
I recognize them, I don't think they recognize me
We used to hang out when we were kids

Of course, I remember the vague outline of blanket pallets on your bedroom floor
We used to talk about our big plans all night long
When I think about it now, my voice still gets so hoarse

Even in my dreams I see rows of houses falling in on themselves
We're just watching, waiting, trapped inside
All I can do is look my family in the eyes, and say, "I promise. I'll try"

It's the Home of the Redbirds