Story Behind The Song

A lawyer from Queens recounts stories revolving around three of her clients

Lyrics

St. Alban's Fire

Verse 1: She's walking down another windswept street
Burning with desire
Folks around the lonely courthouse square
Call her "St. Alban's Fire"

Reaching down into her red valise
She says "here take my card"
What should a proud black girl do?
Walking down Queens Boulevard.

Chorus: St. Alban's Fire
Whatcha gonna do?
So many will drag you down
They'll take your soul on cue
St. Alban's Fire
Look before you leap
There's so much quicksand all around
You're fallin in way too deep

Verse 2: Upstairs in the Holding PENS
You meet Client #1
Just another robbery gone bad
When the co-d pulled out his gun
He shot three souls right in the head
Holding up the Devil's Flag
But you were only driving the getaway car
He left you holding the bag

Chorus: St. Alban's Fire
You've really hit the skids
Why didn't you stay at home
With Keisha and the kids?
St. Alban's Fire
She says: "please take my card"
Now you're lookin at fifty years
Pacing in the prison yard

Bridge: St. Alban's Fire
Don't pass the baton
You'll be good
It's understood
Just keep carrying on

Verse 3: Settled in your office,
A man appears
Call him Client #2
A limo driver from Astoria
He was feelin' kind of blue

His money disappeared
at the blackjack table
Bet on one too many horse
Got locked up for selling
Crack/cocaine
His wife wants a divorce

Chorus: St. Alban's Fire
Now you've got to leave
The US attorney
Wants you back in Tel Aviv
St. Alban's Fire
Now please take my card
The warden waits, for you upstate
Please send him my warm regards

Chorus (instrumental)

Verse 4: Leaving after work
It's six o'clock
You run into Client #3
He's a court officer, a regular Joe
Heading toward his destiny

The fire sees he's walking
With a limp
She says: "Joe, what do you got?"
I'll be back at work
In a couple of weeks
It's just a little blood clot

Chorus: St. Alban's Fire
Take care of yourself, please
You won't be around much longer
Eating all that mac and cheese

St. Alban's Fire
Life is much too hard
They found Joe dead,
in his bed
Clutching the fire's card

Bridge: St. Alban's Fire
Now you're certainly free
No heart of stone
You're off on your own
Being who you've gotta be

Coda: St. Alban's Fire
Now you've answered the call
Those who stray
Will lose their way
But you're still standing tall
But you're still standing tall