Puddles

Badge on his chest but it don’t mean much
Hands always shakin’, avoids their touch
Radio crackles, he jumps at the sound
Eyes to the floor every time they’re around

They grin when he walks past cellblock three
“Yo Puddles, you got that for me?”
Extra trays, smokes, a phone on the side
All it takes is a look—he complies

(Pre-Chorus)
He’s got the keys but he ain’t in control
Every favor traded chips at his soul

(Chorus)
Hey Puddles, everybody knows
You fold real quick when the pressure grows
Uniform on but you play pretend
A guard by name, but you ain’t one of them
Hey Puddles, always say “okay”
Give it all up just to make it one more day
In a place where respect is everything
You’re the joke they laugh at… down the wing

(Verse 2)
They don’t even whisper, they say it out loud
“Man, that CO’s just scared of the crowd”
Back in the office he wipes his face
But out on the tier, he knows his place

He tells himself it’s just to keep peace
“One more favor, then it’ll cease”
But the line’s long gone, it disappeared
The day he let ‘em smell his fear

(Pre-Chorus)
Every step back just pulls him in
Now he’s drownin’ deep in the mess he’s in

(Chorus)
Hey Puddles, everybody knows
You fold real quick when the pressure grows
Uniform on but you play pretend
A guard by name, but you ain’t one of them
Hey Puddles, always say “okay”
Give it all up just to make it one more day
In a place where respect is everything
You’re the joke they laugh at… down the wing

(Bridge)
They don’t hate him—they don’t care at all
Just a tool in a uniform walking the hall
No fear, no line, no command, no spine
Just a man hopin’ he’ll be fine

But the walls keep track of every deal
And the truth comes out in what you conceal

(Final Chorus)
Hey Puddles, now where you gonna go?
When the same ones turn and you lose control
No one left gonna take your side
When the doors slam shut and there’s nowhere to hide
Hey Puddles, hear ‘em laugh again
Echoes ring down every pen
In a world where weakness gets exposed
You’re the story everybody knows

(Outro)
Keys in your hand but you never led…
Just drifted along where the pressure spread.

indie rock