"Only Five Minutes" lyrics - NILS LOFGREN

It was New Year's Eve, my world looked good
My family was at ease, I was livin' like I should
I'd been out of Rikers for nearly a year
My in-laws were thirsty and their needs were clean

(It's only five minutes to the corner store
It's only five minutes and it ain't no more)

They'd run out of liquor so I went for more
It was only five minutes to the corner store
Left my first son purring in his mother's arms
We'd been real close lately like before the storms

(It's only five minutes to the corner store
It's only five minutes and it ain't no more
It's only five minutes the judgement day
It's only five minutes, five minutes away)

I'm talkin' bout heaven (heaven is)
I'm talkin' 'bout hell
I'm talkin' 'bout judgement day (heaven is)
It's only five minutes away
And I say heaven is only five minutes from hell

I was hypnotized by the neon sign
All the pretty colors, all the liquor and wine
A fat grinning owner dressed as Santa Claus
Put a sample in my hand and I didn't even pause

I was tossed like a salad and consumed with hatred
My hopes and and future were obliterated
Somehow I got the key in the ignition
And swerved for home with a startling vision

Talkin' 'bout heaven (heaven Is)
Talkin' 'bout hell
Talkin' 'bout judgement day (heaven is)
It's only five minutes away
And I say heaven is only five minutes from hell

I arrived back home feeling sick and wild
I was cruel and abusive to my wife and child
The police were called and they brought the net
By New Year's I was begging for a cigarette

Talkin' 'bout heaven (heaven Is)
I'm talkin' 'bout hell
Talkin' 'bout judgement day (heaven is)
It's only five minutes away
And I say heaven is only five minutes from hell
I said heaven is only five minutes from hell...