Lyrics

The Book of John is torn out
Of the family bible in our house
His red letters questioned the father
Daddy sentenced him to slaughter

Commandments hang in the kitchen
Judging everything momma’s been fixin
But a question lurks in her garden
Is the criminal worthy of pardon?

But when the Christmas stockings hang
She don’t speak that missing name
Sees a fattened calf in the herd
And yearns for a prodigal return

Last night I heard momma laughing
As she dreamed about playing with grandkids
Said their blonde hair looked so real
As the sun set over the hill

But when the Christmas stockings hang
She don’t speak those missing names
Hears daddy cite another verse
And yearns for a prodigal return

If daddy knows that he knows that he knows that he knows down deep in his bones
Why is he cold as Appalachian snow?

When we gather for midnight mass
Momma has a question to ask
If it was right to scorch the Earth
Why does she yearn for a prodigal return?