Jacob

» MP3: from Stars For Searchlights

And Jacob’s dogs lay round about
as one by one the bulbs burned out
dear Jacob stood upon the front porch muttering

And I remember sunlight like it was yesterday
now the cold wind scours the broken empty stores
wide awake I’m staring at the door

Wounded by your hesitation: what was I waiting for?
I’m open to interpretation
‘cause even I’m not sure what all this time was for

But I don’t know how to die
I mean how should I close my eyes?

And Jacob’s face grew blank with doubt
as up and down the lights went out
and Jacob stood alone in darkness wondering

Sometimes I think of leaving town to start again
some place where people still remember how to smile
but this dog’s too old (...but it’s in my blood)
and I feel so small and cold (...and it’s in my bones)
and freedom’s huge and empty like an endless night
I only know what I’ve known all my life

I’m scraping away the smoke on the windows that remain
(...this is all I have to hold)
the frozen day is dawning
cutting away the stains of the ages on the paper
(...this is all I have to hold)
forgotten voices calling
I’m claiming it all for no one