Kings and Queens

The cars and the trains were the blood in her veins
And the riders inside her breath and her life
But try as she may, the air dreamt it away
And the city could not be saved

For all of her flaws, injustice, and faults
It was a sight to behold, her pulsing and waltz
As each selfish thing fought to make their own name
The tombstones of steel and glass were raised
A toast to her beauty in their day

She could be a city
One like we've never seen
A happily ever after
And we are the kings and queens

We can't outrun our memories
We can't unsee her dreams
The mother we need to remember if we,
If we are, we are the kings and queens

Look to the resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come - Amen (Amen!)
Or else we'll forget that we both hedged our bets
On myths of golden roads ahead

She could be a city
One like we've never seen
A happily ever after
And we are the kings and queens

We can't outrun our memories
We can't unsee her dreams
The mother we need to remember if we,
If we are, we are the kings and queens

In blinding light, she stands opaque
Her silhouette a welcome break
For tired eyes
A resting place
A stage adorned for things that sing
That long for songs in harmony
A concert hall
(Our progeny, her symphony)

We can't outrun our memories
We can't unsee her dreams
The mother we need to remember if we,
If we are, we are the kings and queens