Dust Bowl Lyrics - Live In Concert - Natalie Merchant

I should know to leave them home 

They follow me through the store 

With these toys I can't afford 

"Kids, take them back, you know better than that." 

Dolls that talk, astronauts, T.V. games, airplanes 

They don't understand and how can I explain? 

I try and try but I can't save 

Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away 

I've tried and tried but I can't save 

My youngest girl has bad fever, sure 

All night with alcohol to cool and rub her down 

Ruby, I'm tired, try and get some sleep 

I'm adding doctor's fees to remedies 

With the cost of three day's work lost 

I try and try but I can't save 

Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away 

I've tried and tried but I can't save 

The hole in my pocketbook is growing 

There's a new wind blowing they say, 

It's gonna be a cold, cold one 

So brace yourselves, my darlings 

It won't bring anything much our way 

But more dust bowl days 

I played a card in this week's game 

Took the first and the last letters 

In three of their names 

This lottery's been building up for weeks 

I could be lucky me with the five million prize 

Tears of disbelief spilling out of my eyes 

I try and try but I can't save 

Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away 

I've tried and tried but I can't save 

The hole in my pocketbook is growing