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 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 She said it ain’t the drugs, it ain’t the booze I’ve had a backroad buzz or two, myself It seems like heaven is 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 5th of Crown but now There’s a lower higher power In this thirty five mile an hour town 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 that we don’t put out Spare the rod and you’ll sour A thirty five mile an hour town The “yes mam’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 shirt and skins No one hits the front porch lights To get the kids to come inside 'Cause the streets ain’t safe for a bike to ride down Since they planted a prowler In this thirty five mile an hour town No they’re going nowhere fast tonight no matter How fast they drive this thirty five mile an hour Town