When I was younger I somehow befriended
A man who looked like he was a killer,
Told me he’d pay me just to look after
His overgrown grass and greenery.
And as I got closer I realized he was older,
Than he imagined or pretended to be.
And as I got closer I could smell the odor
From the guilt that he hid by the sea.

Old Jeremiah said I was welcome any time I wanted coffee
I’d sit and listen, hear all of his sins,
I'd tell him I’d pray and I’d say I was sorry.

We would go driving mostly to Gloucester
To look at the ocean or pick up groceries.
Those days were quiet, cranky and silent,
Splitting a sandwich while covering stress.
Somedays were freeing, he would be crying,
Explaining his life and how it was a mess.
And somedays near Christmas, we would be laughing
At the tree lighting before the blood test.

Old Jeremiah said I was welcome any time I wanted coffee
I’d sit and listen, hear all of his sins,
I'd tell him I’d pray and I’d say I was sorry.

And in the end times were hard with pain,
His beard grew out, his voice would strain.
Dragons and skulls tattooed to his arm,
Stretched regret linked to his charm.
We watched the train cut through the yard,
The tracks were laid across his heart,
I heard him bellow before he died,
I deserve this, I have lied.

And then he whispered in my ear
All the things that were unclear,
How the cancer took his wife,
Why he lost control of life.

How the ocean became blue,
Why moon waits up for you,
How we’re rushing through our time
Like we’re running from a crime.

Old Jeremiah said I was welcome any time I wanted coffee
I’d sit and listen, hear all of his sins,
I'd tell him I’d pray and I’d say I was sorry.