Beautifully Sewn, Violently Torn

Screen door blowin' in the wind that's dryin' up the blood on the ol' wood floor, • Dead-man's shadow's still dancin' from a 40-watt bulb swingin' back and forth, • Record is skippin' in the middle of Son House singin' 'bout an old death-letter, • Little Ellie Mae's still cryin' in the corner, sayin' "daddy should've known much better" • Ol' dirty washtub • Won't getcha' clean enough • Sinnin' from the day you're born • Beautifully sewn, violently torn • Ellie Mae's life is like an ol' carney ride gone wild and shakin' off the tracks • Mama's in the kitchen ain't hearin' what she heard, and takin' comfort from a bottle in a sack • What she can't figure is if you're still sinnin', how can you ever call yourself saved? • She's singin' "knick-knack, paddy-whack, a broken glass of cognac, I bet he can't hurt me from the grave" • Chorus Repeat • Big bad wolf in pretty sheep's skin showed his teeth when he took to the drink, • Little bitty girl is capable of terrible things when she's pushed to the brink, • Some folks are just victims of the times, and some from their own wicked ways • But now the law is at the front door • Ellie's out the back door • Mama hangs her head in shame • Chorus Repeat • Hush, Ellie Mae • You're safe and sound • Daddy won't be showin' his face around • He's gone to join ol' death for tea • He gonna tell him about the little girl who grew big teeth