The Weight

I was only a couple weeks shy of twenty-five years old
When I turned the TV on and felt it then without control
It was as if my body opened up and swallowed the world whole
And with it came such empathy that my apathy was gone
But now I can't
(Close back up)
But now I can't
(Turn it off)
But now I can't
(Shut them out)
I never can
(Keep them out)

I was only a few days away from thirty-five years old
When I watched my wife hold a child so close I could swear it was her own
So, I held my arms outstretched to show I could bear to share the load
But as I held it then, my body split and each nerve became exposed
And now I can't
(Close back up)
And now I can't
(Turn it off)
And now I can't
(Shut them out)
I never can
(Keep them out)

I was only hours away from turning sixty-five years old
When my daughter called me on the phone to check on things at home
I said, "Your mother's sick, the cancer's grown
They say it's time for her to go
But when her body leaves, will I follow?
Or will I stay to watch you grow?"
Because I can't
(Close back up)
Because I can't
(Turn it off)
Because I can't
(Shut you out)
I never can
(Keep you out)

When I was seventeen years old, I lived for me
Not with the weight of an eternity in mind
And although crippling, it seems my greatest prize
Is to be burdened with the weight of every life
(Oh)
Is to be burdened with the weight of every life
(Oh)
Is to be burdened with the weight of every life
(Oh)
Is to be burdened with the weight of every life
(Oh)