10000 Maniacs Tension Lyrics

Tension Lyrics

[ music: John Lombardo/lyric: Natalie Merchant ]

frail hinges pivot 
on a cases door 
commemorative 
souvenirs from places 
containers change 
with each occasion 

cellophane encased 
displaying paper 
certificate 
credit years of service 
a tool of 
central enterprises 

the early hope 
for permanence the 
words the rings 
consistency 
and social security the 
miracles high tragedy 

a thought mistaken 
for a memory 
clear the dust from 
smiles in boxes 
cross a patterned floor 
recall the voices 

local posts they 
list your friends 
in order of 
disappearance 
lawn scattered tins 
feed birds the 
portion baked for 
absent guests 

mass edition icon 
god sent comfort is 
your salvation 
but who grants 
absolution for sins 
that never were committed 

tension 
makes a tangle 
of each thought becomes 
inconvenience 
sound never penetrate 
as servile edges 
break and faint 

dress lenghts 
assassinations 
fractured family ties 
christenings