They Thought I Was Asleep

We were driving back from the country one night

Mum and dad up the front and the rest of us snug and tight

My kid brother grizzled for a little minute

‘Til my big sister told him he’d better quit it or die

It had been a long day in the countryside

Playing with the cousins on my mother’s side

The sound of the radio closed our eyes drifting over the seat

And then I fell asleep

I don’t know what woke me up

Maybe a country song or a big truck passing by

I could hear my mama and papa talking

Papa said something then mama began to cry

No more words then, just soft sobs and my head began to throb

I just lay there playing dog breathing slow and deep

They thought I was asleep

They thought I was asleep

It seemed forever ‘til the sobbing stopped

Then they talked for a little while but just too soft to hear

Daddy kept looking at the side of her face

One hand on the wheel and one hand stroking her hair

The headlights shining from the other way

Showed tears on the cheeks of daddy’s face

I prayed for Jesus to send his grace

And all our souls to keep

Back then I believed

They thought I was asleep

The night was dark and deep

How I wish I was asleep