Think I must’ve been twenty-five
They let me sneak in through the side
And I sat in the dark on a pin-drop night
Like a school kid, memorizing
Heard the skies of Texas sing
Songs you made with wood and strings
You sure knew how to make them ring
Cigarette ashes flying
And it goes on and on and on and on
Until it’s almost gone
The maps unfold until we’re old
All the places we come from
On and on and on and on
But some things take their time
To age enough to shine
With paint turpentine
Do we choose where our story goes?
Does some spirit already know?
Those things you try to never show
Kid, they see right through you
Lightning cracks and glimmers flick
As magic as a magic trick
When truths arrive, better grab ’em quick
Write them down before they lose you
And it goes on and on and on and on
Until it’s nearly gone
Life intrudes, and the things we lose
End up in a song
On and on and on and on
Some gifts will take their time
And age enough to shine
Like poems, friends, and wine
I had the strangest dream last night
Standing on the porch, and the moon so bright
Memory cut like a Randall knife
Felt like it went right through me
Sure, we go on and on and on and on
Until we’re finally gone
Museum dust settles on a truss
Thirty bucks to look around
On and on and on and on
This memory took its time
To age enough to shine
Like paint and turpentine
And songs, guitars, and wine
Guy, this one is mine
Other lyrics by Mary Chapin Carpenter:
Bitter Ender
Hope is a drug when it comes to love And I hoped it would never run dry Writing covered the wall There was no time to stall But still I kept wanting to try Truth is …
Coda
I remember late one night How the stars ancient light Seemed to reach right down from the sky Wonder finds us where it will Stay open and be still And trust what’s …
Girl And Her Dog
Everyone asks when you’re growing up Who do you want to be I never had an answer, couldn’t figure out Why I couldn’t see Myself as some future other No …
Hello My Name Is
If you look real hard Squint with all your might Even better close your eyes And it all comes into sight Learning to trust the wait For blessings in disguise It’s …
Home Is A Song
Love is a language, time is a thief Hope is a lantern, breath is relief Memory is water pooled in your palm Home is a song Twilight’s a whisper, night is a chord …