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 what 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

Crumpled bits of paper

Filled with imperfect thoughts

Stale-knit conversations

I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it

He says it's perfect sense

You just can't get agreement

In the present tense

We all talk a different language

Talking in defence

Say it loud

Say it clear

You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late (Oh, it's too late)

When we die (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 yield to the fortunes

You sometimes see as fate

It may have a new perspective

On a different day

And if you don't give up

And don't give in

You may just be okay

Say it loud

Say it clear (Oh, say it clear)

You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late (Oh, it's too late)

When we die (Oh, when we die)

To admit we don't see eye to eye

Oh, 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 thought I caught his spirit

Later that same year

I'm sure I heard his echo

In my baby's newborn tears

I just wish I could have told him

In the living years

Say it loud

Say it clear (Oh, say it clear)

You can listen as well as you hear