Postcards From Hell
The Wood Brothers Lyrics

I know a man who sings the blues
I am acquainted with a man who expresses his personal struggles through music

Yeah he plays just what he feels
He performs with raw authenticity, letting his emotions guide his music

Keeps a letter in the pocket of his coat
The man holds onto a written message close to him

But he never breaks the seal
He keeps the letter unopened, not wanting to face whatever is written inside

Set up in a bar room corner
The man performs in a small space in a public establishment

Playin' for tips and beer
He plays music for a small reward such as money or drinks

People carryin' on and drinkin'
The audience surrounding him is distracted and rowdy

You gotta strain to hear
It's difficult to concentrate and focus on listening to the man's music due to the noisy environment

I've seen him playin' some old cheap guitar
He makes the most of what he has, even if his instrument is outdated and inexpensive

But he could play on pots and pans
He is so talented that he could create music using any object he can find

You never heard a soul so pure and true
The music he produces is genuine and authentic, coming from deep within him

It's flowin' right out of his hands
His music is effortless and natural, coming from the heart

He can sing sweet as a choir girl
He has the ability to sing melodiously, despite his rough exterior

Or he can sing a house on fire
He can sing passionately and energetically, drawing people in with his performance

I've seen him callin' up the angels
His music seems to reach a spiritual level, calling out to greater forces

And use a breeze for a telephone wire
He is so attuned to the world around him that he can use the elements to communicate

And if you ask him
If someone inquires

How he sings his blues so well
How he is able to express his struggles through music so effectively

He says
The man replies

I got a soul that I won't sell
He has an unwavering sense of self that he won't compromise

And I don't read postcards from hell
He avoids confronting things that might be too difficult to handle, such as painful memories or emotional baggage

Says he came from down in Texas
He originally hails from Texas

Playin' out since he's fifteen
He has been performing music publicly since he was a teenager

You can hear a little Chicago
His music is influenced by Chicago blues style

And a lot of New Orleans
His music also takes inspiration from the lively jazz and blues scene of New Orleans

He can take you on a freight train
His music is capable of transporting you to another place, or evoking a feeling of movement or departure

He can take you down the alley
His music has the ability to elicit a sense of danger or mystery, perhaps leading you down a dark and unexpected path

He can take you to the church
His music can be spiritual, creating a sense of euphoria or catharsis as if one were in a sacred space

He can walk you through the valley
His music can take you on a journey through difficult moments, but ultimately bring you to a place of enlightenment or understanding

I've seen him sleepin' in a doorway
The man sometimes resorts to sleeping outside in public spaces, like a person experiencing homelessness

Maybe livin' outside
It's possible that he struggles to maintain a stable living situation or steady source of income

On his back just like a cockroach
He might feel insignificant, helpless, or unwelcome like a cockroach

But he ain't waitin' to die
Despite his challenges, he remains resilient and determined to continue living