The Living Years

Every generation
 Blames the one before
 And all of their frustrations
 Come beating at your door
 I 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 years
 Say 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
 Crumpled bits of paper
 Filled with imperfect thought
 Stilted 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 this present tense
 We all talk a different language
 Talking in defense
 Say 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
 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 think I caught his spirit
 Later that same year
 I'm sure I heard his echo
 In my baby's new born tears
 And I just wish I could have told him
 In the living years
 Say 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
 Say it loud, say it clear