Wake Me At Sunset

A flash brighter than lightning overhead,

But my town is asleep

So they don't see my father coming home

I imagine him walking in the middle of this night

All the way back to us

He likes to look up at the sky as he

Steps out onto familiar ground,

Now he's rounding our corner

Now he's walking through the door

He's walking through the door

And my mother with her deadened eyes,

She comes alive

"Don't go" I plead even though I know

His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky

I know it tears him up inside to say

"It's only one more time"

He knows it's just a lie

He wants to believe

"I need

The stars flying by me,

The earth afloat above, or below, it doesn't matter

where,

Just as long as it isn't right here

I'll be back before you know it and then

I promise you

I'll be home for good"

"Let me go with you" I have begged ever since I was a

child

I know just what he's going to say:

"I don't want you to end up like me,

Aching between

The mystery of new planets to be explored

And the comfort of this ancient discovery beneath our

feet.

You'll struggle to give up that which you love

And it's not easy

Son, just please promise me

You won't become like me."

I just nod and let go even though I know

His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky

I know it tears him up inside to say

"It's only one more time"

A flash as bright as a rocket ship exploding,

But my town is asleep

So they don't see my father die.

I imagine him falling into the sun

And I look up at the sky.

"If only you would have stayed this time"

Now he's rounding the corner

Now he's walking through the door

Please, just walk through that door.

You'll just disappoint your family

Every time you leave

You never kept your promise,

So I'm not keeping mine

Wake me at sunset

So I can say goodbye.