[Verse 1]

Mama locked the door last night

For the first time in all of her years

I said, "Mama, you gotta be kidding me"

She said, "Things ain't like they used to be 'round here"

You just wouldn't believe it, kids growing up without Jesus

A good thing your daddy ain't here to see this now

They stay higher than the water tower

In this thirty-five mile an hour town

[Verse 2]

She said it ain't the drugs, it ain't the booze

I've had a back road buzz or two myself

It seems like heaven's slipping further away

The devil ain't got far to go when they raise hell

We used to burn a hole through midnight, smoking a stolen Marlboro Light

And on a good night might kill a fifth of Crown

But now there's a lower higher power

In this thirty-five mile an hour town

[Chorus]

Oh, we can't blame the babies for growing up lazy

And crazy, it ain't them that let them down

If they ain't stealing, they're suing, why work when we'll give it to 'em?

It's right there in the Bible we don't put out

Spare the rod and you'll sour

A thirty-five mile an hour town

[Verse 3]

The "yes ma'am's" gone and the "please's" too

It's out the door with the "thank you" in the evening

You don't see a front yard football game

The neighbor kids have done away with the shirts and skins

No one hits the front porch lights to get their kids to come inside

'cause the streets ain't safe for a bike to ride down

Since they printed a prowler

In this thirty-five mile an hour town

[Tag]

No, they're going nowhere fast tonight

No matter how fast they drive in

This thirty-five mile an hour town