When I leave this place
The smell of limestone will be on my coat
For a week or so
Every visit slows me down
All the reasons for my struggle fade
They are washed away
Open up the gate
Let the dogs run wild through the field
Soon the ground will yield
We return with burrs and thorns
I pull them off over the hidden spring
I watch the bubbling
There’s a burning in my chest that says,
“My son! Where have you been?”
And when I open up my mouth to sing
The fire only spreads
O Littlebeck, O Littlebeck
I remember where we sled
Down the hill into the freezing pond
With our red boots on
The snow was endless for a kid
Forts were built along the driveway’s edge
Where we made our pledge
There’s a burning in my chest…
O Littlebeck, have I lost my way?
O Littlebeck, have I lost my way?
Near the fireplace, we all stood
And said goodbye to grandpa on his bed
We each kissed his head
I sang a hymn to ease his pain
My voice was broken, my hands were strained
He smiled the same
There's a burning in my chest...
credits
from 22 Blackbirds,
released May 30, 2008
Written, recorded and produced by Starlite Radio. Mixed by Don Chaffer. Mastered by Chuck Zwicky.
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