Erin McKeown, "The Jailer"

Here's the version we heard in class, recorded at radio station WFUV:


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The song was written by Erin McKeown.

break my back and tie my hands
send me to the jailer
for every man that jailer keeps
his soul is getting darker

the jailer rules a stolen land
king of wicked pleasures
try to cross him if you can
scar across the desert

you can't keep us out! (4x)
try to stop the water!
try to stop a fire!
try to stop a culture!

[in his] secret heart the jailer knows
how like he is his prisoners
though he sleeps on finest sheets
his dreams will make him nervous

now fearing this, the jailer locks
a fist around his power
never mind when doubt creeps in
a sound over his shoulder

you can't keep us out! (4x)
try to stop the water!
try to stop a fire!
try to stop a culture!

bee's gonna bake a honey cake
wolves gonna eat the weakest
the nature of the jailer is
to do just what he pleases
but when we hang another man
part of us dies with him
lock your soul up piece by piece
show me just what love is
show me just what love is
show me what is just ...

you can't keep us out! (4x)
try to stop the water!
try to stop a fire!
try to stop a culture!

© 2012 Erin McKeown
[transcribed from live session at WFUV; official lyrics are on her Web site, erinmckeown.com/lyrics/lyrics_manifestra/jailer.html]