Song Of The Candle

I took up my pen tonight. I couldn't seem to write.

It's like I got religion and then I lost the light

An old woman once told me she'd always felt that way...

She said "Taken from the mold when it can still run

A candle might not keep you from the cold

But buy another candle, son, it's not too much to pay

For one more try." And I had to smile

Before I walked away.

Coffee houses bother me. I cannot tell you why.

But, it never seems "hello" sounds as sweet as "goodbye".

And the waitresses, in passing, remember all your names...

They say "Look around and try to meet a single eye".

And "empty cups will mock me if I stay, but

Buy another coffee, Stan, it's not too much to pay.

And we will try to raise your smile

Before you walk away.

Tonight in a room full of candles another cup of ashes drains away

And, at times, it gets so hard to handle

Knowing one more song has swiftly taken wing

And I'm left alone to hear the song a lonely candle sings.

The priest, I found, was nervous. He cleared his throat a lot.

But, framed in stained glass windows, his eyes were lost in thought.

And I said "Father, can you tell me...is some happiness my right?"

He said "Rather seek you joy, the blessings of your God,

And happiness from worship in his sight.

And buy another candle son, before you start to pray

And don't forget to cross your breast

Before you walk away.

Tonight, in a room full of candles, another cup of madness drains away.

And at times it gets so hard to handle

Knowing one more simple song has swiftly taken wing.

And I'm left alone to hear thhe song a lonely candle sings.

One too many cigarettes, slowly burning down

And the final cup of coffee was cold and full of grounds

And maybe one last pipeful might send the words around

Still, underneath my hand this night has slipped away

And it leaves me as empty as this page

One more candle flickers out, the night