I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of modern country music. Classic country? Sure. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but the current crop of Billy Rays and Billy Bobs just don’t do it for me. However, when I first heard this week’s song, its clever chorus hooked me in and I was sold.

Enjoy Merry Go ‘Round by Kacey Musgraves.

If you ain’t got two kids by twenty-one
You’re probably gonna die alone
Least that’s what tradition told you
And it don’t matter if you don’t believe
Come Sunday mornin’
You’d best be there in the front row like you’re s’posed to
Same hurt in every heart
Same trailer, different park

Chorus:
Mama’s hooked on Mary Kay
Brother’s hooked on Mary Jane
And Daddy’s hooked on Mary two doors down
Mary, Mary quite contrary
We get bored, so we get married
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go ’round and ’round and ’round we go
Where it stops nobody knows
And it ain’t slowin’ down
This merry go ’round

We think the first time’s good enough
So we hold on to high school love
Sayin’ we won’t end up like our parents
Tiny little boxes in a row
Ain’t what you want, it’s what you know
Just happy in the shoes you’re wearin’
Same cheques we’re always cashin’ to buy a little more distraction

Chorus

Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We’re so bored until we’re buried
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go ’round
Merry go ’round

Jack and Jill went up the hill
Jack burned out on booze and pills
And Mary had a little lamb
Mary just don’t give a damn no more

If you have a favorite song that features entertaining or clever lyrics which you’d like to see featured as a Lyric of the Week, drop me a line in the comments (or email me at ed@suitcasefullofdimes.com) and tell me what you find special about the song.