My Pa, He Came Home Quiet as the Evening

My pa, he came home quiet as the evening in his worn out shoes

I could tell by his shoulders

That he had the blues

He said, "Son, you're mother's gone away.

When she'll come back I could not say.

Hey, will you play me a tune?"

So I strummed some little song

About how nothing lasts for long

His lips were trembling. He looked old.

He touched my arm. His hand was cold.

When the song was done

We watched the setting of the sun

And heard the wild birds singing.

It was so quiet in the house

We spoke in our lowest voices

As I thought of all the missing noises

I knew I loved that man

Even though I'd been afraid

If I told a lie or come home late

I always knew we had a place.

Let's go cut a tree down!

Pa, let's go cut a tree down!

My mother lives in the city

In a place that gives you all the things

You need to live a happy hidden life

My pa, in a few years

He'll be moving to the mountains

Moving to the crowded mountains

Of our land