Little Crib Census

[Verse 1]
The doctor said, "You’ll live longer now"
That ought to be good news somehow
But the rent climbs up each month
And the stroller sits, waiting for luck

Groceries bite with tiger teeth
Daycare costs a second lease
So love gets careful, love gets slow
And tiny shoes stay in the row

[Pre-Chorus]
When tomorrow looks expensive
People start to hold their breath
They count the pills, they count the hours
They count what’s left

[Chorus]
Babies go down
When the price goes up
Babies go down
When the world gets tough
Longer lives, tighter hands
Fewer cradles, more demands
Babies go down
Baby, that’s the plan

[Verse 2]
When grandma’s strong at eighty-two
And grandpa still can mow the yard too
The old need care for many years
So the young keep weighing fears

One check, two forms, three waiting rooms
A tax line stretching through the month
You promise help, you promise more
But every promise opens a door

[Pre-Chorus]
And the safety net gets wider
While the floor gets thin
A family looks at the numbers
And steps back in

[Chorus]
Babies go down
When the price goes up
Babies go down
When the world gets tough
Longer lives, tighter hands
Fewer cradles, more demands
Babies go down
Baby, that’s the plan

[Bridge]
Not for lack of wanting you
Not for lack of love
It’s the math of milk and medicine
The stack that’s high enough

State by state and house by house
The ledger writes it plain
When the future costs a fortune
Somebody waits

[Final Chorus]
Babies go down
When the price goes up
Babies go down
When the world gets tough
Longer lives, tighter hands
Fewer cradles, more demands
Babies go down
Baby, that’s the plan

Babies go down
Hear it in the street
Babies go down
One less empty seat
Longer lives, tighter hands
Hope still wants a plan
Babies go down
Baby, that’s the plan