Murder Ballad (I've Had Enough)

I couldn't take it any more
My heart about to burst
I walked right out
Didn't shut the door
I hiked 50 blocks and I didn't stop
Down to Lincoln and 31st

Turned a corner
Stood right there when I saw a neon glow
No persons under 21 years of age
Said the sign that was posted on a weathered wooden door

I pushed right past the bouncer
Didn't offer my ID
A tree trunk in a black leather vest
He'd been parked there in that doorway since 1993

He didn't know me from Adam
But this time he let me slide
It was evident this particular eve
That I wasn't coming in here on some
Friday night joy ride

You came in last night
Half past three
Said you'd been at work
I wasn't born yesterday
But that doesn't stop you from treating me like some kind of jerk

You smelled like those menthol cigarettes
You quit smoking two weeks ago
At least that's what you told me then
In that rapid-fire way of yours when I can tell you've been doing blow

If you check your phone in secret
Do you think that I don't know?
I can even tell by the way you dress
That you've got a date with someone who I've never even met before

When you call me daddy it's clear
Some other fool is on your mind
There's a new shade of lipstick you wear
That says it won't be long before you're leaving me behind

Enough of your excuses
Enough of your lies
I've heard about enough from you
To last until I die

So I'm sitting on this barstool
In a joint called Tampa Red's
I got a Rolling Rock and a whisky neat
I'm here all alone while you're at home
With another man in my bed

In the meantime this bartender
Might just be my new best friend
I tried to give him the long version
But he cut me short
Said he already knows just how that story ends

He was born in South Milwaukee
I should mention his name is Kyle
He said most times I just listen
But tonight I'm gonna talk if you'll be sitting here for a little while

Oh I got all night I told him
As I looked into his vacant eyes
But first you can pour us both a shot
It's just good for me to sit here and drink with a man who can sympathize

So Kyle starts telling me the story
How he grew up with a pair of aunts
I said what happened to your parents
He said slow down now son, I'll tell you everything
If you give me the chance

My mom was a local beauty queen
And my father fell at first sight
He was a jealous s.o.b.
And he got it in his head that she was leaving him one drunken night

He up and got his .32
Put a bullet through her heart
He said, now you ain't going anywhere
I was just a year old, her life was over
Before mine could start

My dad got sent up the river
They gave him 99 years
And I got raised up an orphan
Didn't learn the truth for decades
By then it was too late for tears

Kyle looks at me real serious
He says I know you've got a gun
Just leave it with me for safekeeping
You've got murder on your mind
But I wouldn't wish my parents's fate on anyone

I couldn't hide my sorrow
And my face was flush with shame
The bouncer had had his eye on me
From the moment I walked in there he was on to my bitter game

Then Kyle says one more thing to me
I understand she didn't treat you right
But remember you had a part in this
There's no reason in this situation for anyone to die

Just go home and say you've had enough
It's easier than you think
Then get out and get on with your life
But stop by here and it's on the house
Any time you might need a drink

I tried so hard
To ease your mind
Lord knows I tried
So many times
you had your problems
And I surely had mine
Till we reached the point
That broke me inside

I've had enough of your excuses
I've heard enough of your lies
I've heard about enough from you
To last until I die

I've had enough
I've heard enough
I've heard enough