Bridges

Words & music A. McKnight and Jon Carroll, ©2007 Catalooch Music, BMI and Ordinary World Publishing, ASCAP

Verse 1
1964, the summer I was born
2 black boys went to Jesus neath the Mississippi moon
knock on the door, hearts sink through the floor
and a flood of mothers tears run fast for souls taken too soon
while my parents far from harm, new babe safe in their arms
must have wondered at the hands that twist such fate

Chorus
The call comes in the night, a hand fumbles for the light
is it joy or tears that come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on too long

Verse 2
under this highway night, galaxies burn bright
in conversation with a face I cannot see
a sudden shooting star, I wonder who you are
I hope the life we give you is everything you wish that you could be
like my parents must have done, wonder what this world's become
do I dare to think it's fair we're blessed with you

Chorus
The call comes in the night, a hand fumbles for the light
is it joy or tears that come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on

Bridge
Across the generations, every parent's trepidation
the leap of faith to take our place within the flow

Verse 3
I await the news, you're now a parent too
as the current carries all this old man's learned
despite our best intent, and fortunes heaven sent
sometimes we must swim waters spanned by bridges that we've burned

Chorus
that call comes in the night, hands fumble for the light
will joy or fear come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on