A flash brighter than lightning overhead,
But my town is asleep
So they don't see my father coming home
I imagine him walking in the middle of this night
All the way back to us
He likes to look up at the sky as he
Steps out onto familiar ground,
Now he's rounding our corner
Now he's walking through the door
He's walking through the door
And my mother with her deadened eyes,
She comes alive
"Don't go" I plead even though I know
His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky
I know it tears him up inside to say
"It's only one more time"
He knows it's just a lie
He wants to believe
"I need
The stars flying by me,
The earth afloat above, or below, it doesn't matter
where,
Just as long as it isn't right here
I'll be back before you know it and then
I promise you
I'll be home for good"
"Let me go with you" I have begged ever since I was a
child
I know just what he's going to say:
"I don't want you to end up like me,
Aching between
The mystery of new planets to be explored
And the comfort of this ancient discovery beneath our
feet.
You'll struggle to give up that which you love
And it's not easy
Son, just please promise me
You won't become like me."
I just nod and let go even though I know
His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky
I know it tears him up inside to say
"It's only one more time"
A flash as bright as a rocket ship exploding,
But my town is asleep
So they don't see my father die.
I imagine him falling into the sun
And I look up at the sky.
"If only you would have stayed this time"
Now he's rounding the corner
Now he's walking through the door
Please, just walk through that door.
You'll just disappoint your family
Every time you leave
You never kept your promise,
So I'm not keeping mine
Wake me at sunset
So I can say goodbye.
