35 Mph Town

Mama locked the door last night
For the first time in all of her years
I said mama you gotta be kidding me
She said things ain't like they used to be round here

You just wouldn't believe it
Kids growing up without Jesus
Good thing your daddy ain't here to see this now
They stay higher than the water tower
In this thirty five mile an hour town

She said it ain't the drugs, it ain't the booze
I've had a backroad buzz or two, myself
It seems like heaven is slipping further away
The devil ain't got far to go when they raise hell
We used to burn a hole through midnight
Smoking a stolen Marlboro Light and on a good night
Might kill a 5th of Crown but now
There's a lower higher power
In this thirty five mile an hour town

Oh we can't blame the babies for growing up lazy
And crazy it ain't them that let them down
If they ain't stealing, they're suing
Why work when we'll give it to 'em
It's right there in the bible that we don't put out
Spare the rod and you'll sour
It's thirty five mile an hour town

The yes mam's gone and the please's too
It's out the door with the thank you in the evening
You don't see a front yard football game
The neighbor kids have done away with the shirt and skins

No one hits the front porch lights
To get the kids to come inside
'Cause the streets ain't safe for a bike to ride down
Since they planted a prowler
In this thirty five mile an hour town

No they're going nowhere fast tonight no matter
How fast they drive this thirty five mile an hour
Town