My Father's House

Last night, I dreamt that I was a child
Out where the pines grow wild and tall
Was tryin' to make it home through the forest
Before the darkness falls

I heard the wind rustlin' through the trees
And ghostly voices rose from the fields
I ran with my heart poundin' down that broken path
With the devil snappin' at my heels

I broke through the trees, and there in the night
My father's house stood there shinin' hard and bright
The branches and brambles tore my clothes and scratched my arms
But I ran 'til I fell shakin' in my father's arms

I awoke and I imagined the hard things that pulled us apart
Will never again, sir, tear us from each other's arms
I got dressed and to that house I did ride
From out on the road I could see its winding shining lights

I walked up the stairs and I stood on the porch
A woman I didn't recognize came and spoke to me through a chained door
I told her my story and for who I'd come for
She said, "I'm sorry, son, but no one by that name lives here anymore"

My father's house shines hard and bright
It stands like a beacon, calling me in the night
Calling and calling, so cold and alone
Shining 'cross this dark highway where our sins lie unatoned