In The Distance

I watch the moonlight hit her window

It weaves bright diamonds through her hair

But I have tarried in these shadows

In hopes she will not see me here

I don't know what I've been thinking

I should move on to other business

But I promised I would be strong

And only watch her in the distance

I know the war claimed her young husband

And so her life's been mighty rough

And she doesn't need more sorrow

I have given her enough

So I will try to keep my mind off

My poor aching heart's insistence

She must learn to live without me

So I'll just watch her in the distance

I recall the fight in Franklin

A Yankee bullet laid me down

That night I watched her in the graveyard

Where they put me in the ground

That's when I heard the angels calling

And felt the pull of love's resistance

So the good Lord let me linger

So I could watch her in the distance

If I wrap cold arms around her

If I gently spoke her name

She couldn't bear my haunted whispers

So there's nothing to be gained

Perhaps my time has come for leaving

Time to lay down my defenses

And be content with having loved her

Even in the distance

For I've been blessed with having loved her

Even in the distance