The Living Years

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your doorI know that I'm a prisoner
To all 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 yearsCrumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've gotYou say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement in this present tense
We all talk a different language, talking in defenseSay it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eyeSo we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lastsSo 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 okaySay it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eyeI wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to sayI think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living yearsSay it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye