The Living Years

every generation
blames the one before
and all of their frustrations
come beating on your door
I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him
in the living years

crobbeled bits of paper
filled with imperfect thoughts
stilled the conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got
He says you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tens we all talk a different language
talking in defense

Say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late
When we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts
So don't get to the fortune...
We sometimes see it is fake
You may have a new prospectus
on a different date
And if you don't give up, you don't give in
you may just be ok

I wasn't there that morning
when my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
all the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit
later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
in my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him
In the living years

Say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late
When we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late
When we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wish I could have told him
I wish I could have told him
I wish I could have told him
in the living years