We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Old Folks Home

from Autonomy by Stephanie Lambring

/

lyrics

621 South Sugar Street
That’s where they’re taking Josephine
First she was just forgetting things
Now she’s gettin’ mean

They kept her home as long as they could
’Til there were more bad days than good
And they had to do what they hoped they never would

Told her she was goin’ on a big vacation
Loaded her up in the station wagon

For the old folks home
People askin’ when they’re gonna go home
Some are lucky enough not to know
Shuffle the halls like apprentice ghosts
To the main cafe
Bingo cards and steak puree
Volunteers smile at vacant faces
Wonder if they’re in better places

Benny, he still has his mind
But they still talk to him like he’s five
Loud and slow and high-pitched like
They’re stuck on autopilot

He wheels himself over to the East wing
To see the Sunday paper crossword queen
They tell stories about the things they’ve seen while they’ve still got memories

Everything is a little less worse when
Someone sees you like a person

At the old folks home
People askin’ when they’re gonna go home
Some are lucky enough not to know
Shuffle the halls like apprentice ghosts
Past the sad gift shop
Where good granddaughters buy their afterthoughts
Pink-flowered cards signed “Love you lots”
For a moment you don’t feel forgot

Esther, she ain’t seen her son
Since the day she didn’t know who he was
He left her with a check and a hug
And hoped that it was love

Months creep by with no phone call
She just rocks her baby doll
Stares at squares of strangers taped to the wall
Hummin’ an old country song

Nurses tuck her in, tell her they love her
But you can’t fix a grieving mother

At the old folks home
People askin’ when they’re gonna go home
They stop askin’ when they just know
Shuffle the halls like apprentice ghosts
Locked up in God’s waiting room
No such thing as gone too soon
The body’s tired, and the mind is too
Wonder when He’s gonna come for you

Take you home, take you home

credits

from Autonomy, released October 23, 2020
Written by Stephanie Lambring

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Stephanie Lambring image

Stephanie Lambring Nashville, Tennessee

"One of Nashville's most fearless young singer-songwriters" - NPR Music

shows

contact / help

Contact Stephanie Lambring

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Stephanie Lambring, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now