the joke

you're feeling nervous

aren't you

boy?

with your quiet voice and impeccable style

don't ever let them steal your joy

and your gentle ways

to keep 'em from running wild

they can kick dirt in your face

dress you down

and tell you that your place

is in the middle

when they hate the way you shine

i see you tugging on your shirt

trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts

let 'em laugh while they can

let 'em spin

let 'em scatter in the wind

i have been to the movies

i've seen how it ends

and the joke's on them

you get discouraged

don't you

girl?

it's your brother's world for a while longer

we gotta dance with the devil on a river

to beat the stream

call it living the dream

call it kicking the ladder

they come to kick dirt in your face

to call you weak and then displace you

after carrying your baby on your back across the desert

i saw your eyes behind your hair

and you're looking tired

but you don't look scared

let 'em laugh while they can

let 'em spin

let 'em scatter in the wind

i have been to the movies

i've seen how it ends

and the joke's on them

let 'em laugh while they can

let 'em spin

let 'em scatter in the wind

i have been to the movies

i've seen how it ends

and the joke's on them