The Man by the Coast

I heard there's a man who lives out by the coast

He stays there through winters

When the waters gets cold

He was young once, like me

Now he's scared that he's through

That the last time he'd swim

Would be coming up soon

I was 12 years old, at least I think I was

When my father told me I'd been growing up

Then my legs grew on 'til I could reach the things he did

But my eyes got smaller

And the world got taller

And I couldn't reach the thing I'd seen

When I was young

I heard there's a man who lives out by the coast

He stays there through winters

When the waters gets cold

He was young once, like me

Now he's scared that he's through

That the last time he'd swim

Would be coming up soon

Then the years got short and I was 21

And I lost a friend and then I fell in love

And I held her tight 'cause I was tired of letting go

I was terrified the years were speeding up

Would the wrinkles come before I lived enough?

I miss the days I dind't know that I'd grow up

I head there's a man who lives out by the coast

He stays there through winters

When the waters gets cold

He was young once, like me

Now he's scared that he's through

That the last time he'd swim

Would be coming up soon

When the leaves fell for winter, I went out by the coast

I was chasing the youth that I'd lost years before

I looked out and saw a man walk to the shore

There was snow on his feet but a smile in his soul

He was old now, like I'd be

When the years carried on

I begged him to tell me how to swim, when it's cold

He said that everything ages

But the youth in your soul

When I swim for the last time

I won't care if it's cold