Baby's Breath - Bill Callahan

There grows a weed looks like a flower

Looks like baby’s breath on a mirror

My girl and I rushed atop the altar

The sacrifice was made

It was not easy undertaking

The root’s grip sucked like a living grave

Oh young girl at the wedding

Baby’s breath in her hair

A crowning lace above her face

That’ll last a day before it turns to hay

Good plans are made by hand

I’d cut a clearing in the land

For a little bed

For her to cry comfortable in

And each day I looked out on the lawn

And I wondered what all was gone

Until I saw it was lucky old me

How could I run without losing anything?

How could I run without becoming lean?

It was agreed

It was a greed

It was me tearing out the baby’s breath

Oh I am a helpless man

So help me!

I’m on my knees

Gardening

Trying to make the baby’s breath blow

It was not a weed it was a flower

My baby’s gone

Oh where has my baby gone?

She was not a weed she was a flower

And now I know you must reap what you sow

Or sing

And yes now I know you must reap what you sow

Or sing