Last call

i'm ailing mama  
forgive me  
if i double my dosage  
   
pretty don't last  
as long as rent does  
and the bars about to close  
   
the jukebox has only one tune    
left unheard  
and i stabbed a man dead  
for his coin  
stuck him slow and sure  
listening  
as his breath leaked itself out  
til sleep  

my old man said there are sounds  
that can make a man not rest right  
the last song is about to go on  
   
leave me in this five minutes mama  
to cry alone and smile  
   
when they come round  
in the morning for me  
know that it's the pretty  
that led your child