Shirt

Last night I was prepparing to go to a party

And on the rack with my suits I found the shirt that I'd worn

When I held her in my arms for the very last time

The shirt that I vowed I'd never wear again

As I took it from the rack all my dreams came racin' back

The faint perfume of sweet love filled the night

I could see her face again she kissed my lips as then

And I almost felt my arms around her tight

A shirt that even the Gods must envy

For its arms once encircled the dream that only heavens could bring

Against this shirt once beat that wonderful heart in the whole wide world

And forever each thread shall remind me of her

I rolled down I turned up sleeve and scaresly could believe

For I found a strand of her soft golden hair

I slowly took it down like a star from an angel's crown

I closed my eyes and softly said a prayer

Then I walked to the window sill my eyes began to fill

I thought I heard the soft wind call her name

And the shirt across my arm grew strangely soft and warm

As if I'd reached and held it to a flame

And there I stood hearin' only the beat of my own aching heart

Lost in the dreams of what might have been

And the shirt seemed as sorrowful as I and just as empty body and soul