Empire of Lights

Hometown hero flexing his arm
With a five-yard pass to the end of the bar
He says, “I’ll be right back I’m just gonna go grab another pack.”

Walks one block to the all-night station
And steps into a situation
There’s a man with a gun pointed at the nervous clerk

And before he could think
He was tackling the gunman
Who hit his head and was knocked unconscious

The clerk relieved said, “Oh my god
You’re a hero man and you should stick around
‘Til the cops get here, maybe you’ll make the morning news.”

But the hometown hero rose to his feet
Tossed him the gun and said, “Thanks, but I’ve gotta run
I’ll take a pack of camel lights and be on my way.”