"Stranger Candy" lyrics

Back in 1967, I was watching a TV show
When the glowing screen went blank
I looked out of my window
I saw 27 crows perched on my antenna
In the glass a familiar face appeared
A man whose name I don't remember

'Cause that mother's milk is dandy
When you're a little baby
But as the wheels of time grind you down
You get a taste for that stranger candy

Then in December of '81
I saw my dear old friend John
He was fall-down drunk at the Christmas parade
With his children looking on

His wife, she'd lost her mind
She was committed for a time
She took refuge when they set her free
In some weird eastern philosophy

'Cause that mother's milk is dandy
When you're a little baby
But as the wheels of time grind you down
You get a taste for that stranger candy

And this life, they say is hard
But still it's all you know
You can close your eyes and try to run away
But pray, where will you go?

Yeah, this life is all you know
Death is dark and strange
It's the near and worrisome voice you hear
Forever calling out your name

As I was walking down the street
Last week in Portland, Oregon
I found the last of many keys I lost
I picked it up and I grinned

'Cause sometimes them crows take flight
And if you can shoo 'em from your brain
You will find yourself in the nick of time
Calling the devil by his name

'Cause that mother's milk is dandy
When you're a little baby
But as the wheels of time grind you down
You get a taste... just a little taste
For that stranger candy
Stranger candy