Song Lyrics

The Recent Future appears onThe Recent Future

Petty Larcenies

by Alex McMurray Velvety Pod Music (BMI)

you can wish on an ancient star
you can beat on a cheap guitar
you can sweep up around this bar
and make it pay

 

it didn’t matter who you hurt
if you were sweating through your shirt
if ernie only knew you, burt
he’d be gone...far away

 

‘cause if you can’t make it clean
you can always make it shine
and no one will ever see
your crime is gonna pay this time

 

you hung around with the boys
once or twice you lost your poise
with the guy who made that noise
on his stratocaster

 

it’s slippery down in the soil
so who is gonna be your foil?
will it be the one who paints in oils
or works in plaster?

 

and if you can’t make it clean
you can always make it shine
‘cause no one will ever see
your crime is gonna pay
your crime is gonna pay

 

if you can’t make it clean
you can always make it shine
and stay right on the scene
your crime is gonna pay this time

 

so throw down your sword and shield
save it on your reel to reel
sit down to your last meal
and eat your fill

 

‘cause one day this will all be dust
so do exactly what you must
these rules are for the rest of us
for good or ill

 

‘cause if you can’t make it clean
you can always make it shine
and no one will ever see
your crime is gonna pay
your crime is gonna pay

 

if you can’t make it clean
you can always make it shine
and stay right on the scene
your crime is gonna pay this time