Elephant's Memory

Calling, calling
Father wanted to run away
With the circus as a kid
Or a teen escape to the priestly way

And in a way he almost did
Twelve children 'round the supper table
Every blessed one is his
Chanting ten turns 'round the rosary

The holy circus that it is.
And me, I'm looking on with elephant's memory
At that old elephant in the living room
You know the one we try not to see

The one who ain't gonna be leaving too soon
He's calling, he's calling.
Mother asked me what I'm grateful for
We make up something one by one

Father says forgive us sinners lord
Staring right at me when he's done
Baby sees the elephant like she sees the steam rising off her plate
But soon enough she'll fall in line

And finally learn to look away
I think he's calling, he's calling
As the secrecy's keeping the lock on the gate
Guarding us in our safe place

Watching and waiting for someone to step out of line
Enforcing with anti-grace
All of you keepers and want to be sleepers
Wake up there's a message so clear

I saw the elephant and I looked him in the eye
And he begged me not to tell you he's here
But he's here. He's here
And he's calling, he's calling.