After the Fire

Always tried to climb out from the bottom
Only to be thrown back where I belong
Over the hill and down in the valley
I told the truth but they said I was wrong

These days ev'ryone I meet
With one hand behind my back
The answers continue gettin' longer
To questions I didn't even ask

I suppose we could try it again
Start over somewhere in the middle
After the fire but before the smoke
When I would rehearse ev'ry word I spoke
When ya told me you'd never give up hope
After the fire but before the smoke

Time drained into the river
While photographs floated out to sea
Jus' like an outlaw in the rain
Riddles never meant that much to me

Yonder stands little Maggie
Under my thumb and on the tracks
She deserves to be someplace much better
And I kinda hope she never comes back

I suppose we could try it again
Start over somewhere in the middle
After the fire but before the smoke
When I would rehearse ev'ry word I spoke
When ya told me you'd never give up hope
After the fire but before the smoke