The Mountain Goats — Exegetic Chains

[Verse 1] Look closely at the shadows On the ground beneath the trees The labors of Hercules Wild grasses on the hills Rippling in the wind Cybele unchained [Pre-Chorus] The songs you sing at Christmas time The stories that you tell Well I knew them well Yes I knew them well [Chorus] Say your prayers to whomever You call out to in the night Keep the chains tight Make it through this year If it kills you outright [Verse 2] The coins they toss at dancers Whirling in the city square Music on the air The places where we met to share Our secrets now and then We will see them again Change will come Stay warm inside the ripple Of the Panasonic hum It grinds And it roars Headed somewhere better If I have to crawl there on all fours [Chorus] Say your prayers to whomever You call out to in the night Keep the chains tight Make it through this year If it kills us outright