Skill Machine Blues

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Pennsylvania got the word tonight Chrome screens dim in the corner light Mum’s deli hummin’ by the penny tray Now that little box might fade away Lottery tickets by the register Regulars lean in, askin’ what’s the word Coffee gone cold by the cash drawer line Tiny wins kept the doors alive [Pre-Chorus] And the whole room feels it Like a held-back cry Bills still come due When the lucky game dies [Chorus] No more skill machines No more easy dreams Keep the change, keep the change Now the room won’t gleam No more skill machines Hands on tired seams Some folks get real tight When the small town bleeds [Verse 2] Barbershop talk at the end of the day “Can’t take that corner income away” Candy jar cracked, neon sign still weak Owner counts receipts with a trembling knee Truck stop fries on a paper plate Pool hall laughs turn a little late If the floor goes quiet, who pays the rent? Who keeps the lights when the last coin’s spent? [Pre-Chorus] And the whole town knows it On a Wednesday night What looked like spare change Was somebody’s lifeline [Chorus] No more skill machines No more easy dreams Keep the change, keep the change Now the room won’t gleam No more skill machines Hands on tired seams Some folks get real tight When the small town bleeds [Bridge] Maybe they call it fixing Maybe they call it right But ask the woman mopping up At closing time Ask the man with the license And the keys in his hand He watched that little metal glow Feed the whole front stand [Final Chorus] No more skill machines No more easy dreams Keep the change, keep the change Now the room won’t gleam No more skill machines Hands on tired seams Some folks get real tight When the small town bleeds No more skill machines No more easy dreams No more skill machines And the corner feels it breathe