
The Kelly Song Collective
Shanick Road
My mother came from Lakefield in Ontario
Ran away when she was seventeen
Got a job working nights in Peterborough
And held shadows together in between
I was born in a bedroom on King street
Mom was 21 or 22
My memories are empty rooms and radio
Figured it was the best that she could do
I wish that I could cut off my hands
Or fall asleep and let my life reload
But I don’t regret a single thing that I have done
So I’m staying here way up the Shanick Road
I went to school and went to church on Sunday
Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains
Sometimes mom stayed out all night
Pretend my little bed was a train
Father Mike coached the hockey team
and helped mom when she couldn’t make it through
She died before my 13th birthday
So I stayed with an aunt I hardly knew
Father Mike would eulogize strategy
Put down his bag and let the front door close
Asked me if I still believe in Jesus
I became another one of those
I’ve never tried to understand this darkness
But I tried to feel the warm light on my face
They found him in his bedroom before Sunday mass
Shadows on the wall could not erase
© Michael Worthington Music 2019
