Oh God, can you feel the sun in your back
Oh God, can you see your shadow, inky black on the sand
Oh God, can you hear the saltwater drying on your skin
Oh God, can you feel my heart beating in my tongue
Oh God, by being quiet, I hope to alleviate my debt
Oh God, by sitting still, I hope to lighten your load
And when your shadow covers me from head to toe
And curtonevrae flies tell me it’s my time to go
Seven waves of insects make babies in my skin
Seven waves of insects make families in my skin
It’s just like animals at play
And the flesh rotted off my skull
And then I will have earned my permanent smile
Oh God, I never, never ask why
Oh God, I never, never ask why
"Permanent Smile" Bill Callahan/Smog (04/03/2000)