Matches and Kerosene

Matches and Kerosene

I can see flames across the field
I can see smoke rising in the sky
I told my baby I loved her
Then I kissed my baby goodbye

Her daddy told me to leave town
Her daddy said I was no good
Her daddy has a big old house
That big old house is made of wood

Chorus
Her daddy called me painter
Painting houses is my trade
He joked about the stains on my clothes
He laughed at the money I made
Now I've painted him a little picture
The prettiest one I've ever seen
A still life of sorts
In matches and kerosene

I'm gonna head for the Rio Grande
I'll find some work in Mexico
I can speak a little Spanish
And Canada is much too cold

I wonder if he'll be sorry
I wonder just what he'll say
When he learns his only daughter
Is waiting in Monterrey

Bridge
He didn't want me around
But the walls he put between us
Are burning to the ground