4 AM

​

I was kickin’ up the dirt on a dusty road.  It was much too dark to see.

I wound up on the porch of an ancient house and this voice cried out to me.     

I said, “I did not mean to disturb you.  I was just lookin’ for a place to hide.”

She replied, “You’re knockin’ on the right door, son.  I think you better come inside.”

And no one had to tell me it was 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.       

    

I walked inside.  There was nothin’ in the room at all.

She said, “Don’t get discouraged, son.  Just step into the hall.”

The hall was long and dark an’ there were twelve doors on each side.

She said, “Take your pick.  The choice is yours.  I’m just along for the ride.”

And no one had to tell me it was 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

That’s when my skin crawls inside out again. 

 

I leaned against the closest door.  It opened and I stumbled in.

She followed me in and said, “We’re all here now.  I think it’s time to begin.”

I looked around the room and I saw Death with Life, his bride.

I turned and said, “I’ve been misled.  This is no place to hide.”

And no one had to tell me it was 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

That’s when my skin crawls inside out again. 

 

The door was locked behind me.  There was no place I could go.

I heard myself scream, “This is all a dream.”  She said, “Relax, it’s time for the show.”

Death dressed in black velvet with hollow, sunken eyes,

He turned to Life, his future wife, and he said, “For the love of Death, Life dies.”

And no one had to tell me it was 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

That’s when my skin crawls inside out again. 

 

The ceremony was soon over.  I swallowed all my pride.

If Death and Life are man and wife then there’s no difference on either side.

She said, “Son, you can leave now.  I think you finally see.

Life’s a brief and fleeting instant in Death’s eternity

And no one will have to tell you when it’s 4 AM. That’s when your skin will crawl inside out again.

That’s when your skin will crawl inside out again. 

 

I staggered back into the cold night air.  My eyes were damp with tears.

I had so little time to speak my mind and I’d wasted precious years.

I realized how wrong I’d been to try to hide my love inside.

‘Cause changes turn the outside in and they reveal what you’re tryin’ to hide.

And no one has to tell me when it’s 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

Yeah, you don’t have to tell me when it’ 4 AM.  That’s when my skin crawls inside out again.

That’s when my skin crawls inside out again. 

 

© 1969 - RDT