Mama's crying all the time is it because of me
Or my younger sister
Even Dad was weeping when he kissed her
Face all puffy like a blister
Crying like he missed her
Since we moved away
From the house where we used to play
They say I'll understand one day
But I doubt it
Mama never sais nothing about it
How'd it get to be so crowded
I find it a strain
Everywhere I look I see pain
And I can't escape the feeling maybe I'm to blame
So I strain to listen
Praying for a decision
Wishing they were kissing
This feels like extradition
Or exile, mama finds it hard to smile
So I make pretend cups of coffee in her favourite style
She says 'Child I'm working so there's nothing you lack'
But she know, I want my Dad, I want my family back
I'm on lonely street, age 43
Couldn't guage when to quit
So my wife quit me
Took offence, took the kids
I wish that was the end
But before she took her leave she took care
Of my best friend
Working all the hours God send was not the tactic
Y'see 'cause after 10 years I'm left with jacksh!t
Wanted to make the cash quick
So I had to work real late
Bad sex, my woman's vex even if I stay awake
And if I'm honest, I had a little cake
At the office, I was eatin'
We'd do our cheatin' over coffees
Making tea for the bosses making free with me
And I agree I got sleazy to easily
But I'm 43.
This doesn't usually happen to me
Now I'm lonely, I wonder what my son's doing today
Suddenly I'm blinking like the screen on my computer display
And I'm drinking, concerned about what's down the track
If I don't get my family back
I want my family back
I'm on Lonely Street, number 53
Boarded up property, I'll probably get pulled down
Litter all around inside there's no sound and no light
But yo, it gets busy at night
People sneaking, derelicts creeping
In to fix, speaking
On the way my timber's creaking roof leaking
And bricks coming loose
Knee-high in refuse
But even though I'm a slum
I'm still of some use
There was a time my walls were decorated
And under my roof children were educated
But now, paint's faded
Windows are all smashed
A crash in the economy
Robbed me of my family
And no strategy combats negative equity
Because that's it
Like violence it's drastic
I'm freaking and seeking to be more than just a house for crack
Somebody bring my family back
Maxi Jazz - Rap
Sister Bliss - Keyboards
Rachael Brown - Chorus vocals
Dave Randall - Guitar
Will Malone - String arrangement
Sudha - Percussion
There are rumours that some of Faithless's songs are based on true stories. For Maxi's sake, I hope this isn't one of them!