Next of Kin

by Conor Oberst

From the album: Ruminations

Track 8 of 10 on Ruminations (2016).

Duration: 3:26

Ruminations cover art

Lyrics for Next of Kin

I saw a crash on the interstate It left a feeling I could not shake Just a name in a database That must be notified It's not a phone call I want to make A stranger answers I hesitate Got some bad news that couldn't wait Are you sitting down? Her bathrobe hangs on the bedroom door Though she's been dead for a year or more He buried her by the sycamore So that he could keep her close It broke his heart and it made him old Tries to rebuild but it just erode People say that's the way it goes But he don't feel that way You get too drunk and you can't perform Something dies when a star is born I spread my anger like Agent Orange I was indiscriminate... yeah I met Lou Reed and Patti Smith It didn't make me feel different I guess I lost all my innocence Way too long ago She called my bluff and she won the fight I ran outside in the hot twilight I had a lighter that didn't light Though I know I shouldn't smoke I was gone, I was free to leave Walking fast down The Bowery Tears in my eyes so I couldn't see But I made my way back home

Listen On

More from Ruminations

  1. Tachycardia
  2. Barbary Coast (Later)
  3. Gossamer Thin
  4. Counting Sheep
  5. Mamah Borthwick (A Sketch)
  6. The Rain Follows the Plow
  7. A Little Uncanny
  8. Next of Kin
  9. You All Loved Him Once
  10. Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out