Taste of Ashes

TASTE OF ASHES
Jim Pipkin 2004 BMI

I passed him on the corner
Brown bag in his hand
Eyes that could not focus
Face burned up by san and wind
Coulda been someone's daddy
Sure enough someone's son
All that's left behind him
All his races have been run

He's traded it all for the taste of ashes
Night after night he sits alone, sluggin' that whiskey down
Traded it all for the taste of ashes
Til all that's left are ashes stumblin' around

I saw her by the streetlight
Too young to look so wise
Glitter in her makeup
Painted smile and hollow eyes
Coulda been someone's sweetheart
Momma's baby girl
Sellin' all she has to offer
For another chance to leave this world

She's tradin' all for the taste of ashes
Livin' her life from pipe to pipe
Spirallin' slowly down
Tradin' it all for the taste of ashes
Til all that's left are ashes driftin' around

They're in this world among us
Think of them as you please
Some of us stay on our feet
Some never reach their knees
You say you owe them nothing
That certainly might be true
But how you treat the least of us sure leaves its mark on you

Don't trade your love for the taste of ashes
Turn away too many times, this whole world loses ground
Don't trade sweet love for the taste of ashes
Without love we're dust and ashes

Don't trade your love for the taste of ashes
Turn away too many times, this whole world loses ground
Don't trade sweet love for the taste of ashes
Without love we're dust and ashes, spinnin' around