Schwa Lyrics

Until the Words Disappear

Lyricist: Ed McGee
Vocalist: Ed McGee

Flesh is weak and time decays,
and time won't hear any words that I pray.
She used to love the song of the wren
and the fly rod swish in the riverbend.
A day will come when it's almost gone --
a hush at dusk, silence at dawn.
I need to ask her as we share our tears,
what's the last thing she'd like to hear?

	Me telling her that I love her?
	The grandchildren laughing outside?
	The white water rush in the old Susquehana?
	I could play my guitar, maybe her favorite song 
	one last time.

I touch her shoulder and she sort of jumps,
says, "I didn't hear you creeping up."
We sit a while in our backyard.
When I start to talk, the words come hard.
A day will come when all is calm --
a hush at dusk, silence at dawn.
I'll stand beside you through the quiet years,
but first what's the last thing you'd like to hear?

	Me telling you that I love you?
	Our grandchildren laughing outside?
	The white water rush in the old Susquehana?
	Should I play my guitar, maybe your favorite song
	one last time?

She doesn't answer, just eyes the horizon,
and twilight's fireflies give in to Orion.
I finally face her, wipe a tear from her cheek,
a smooth breeze makes the old maple creak.
"I don't know," she says, "I can't decide,
I can't even hear that little voice inside."
And then it hits me and I squeeze her hand
and say, "listen dear, here's the plan:

	We'll take the grandchildren down
	where they can laugh in your river,
	I'll sing your favorite song
	at least 50 times,
	and then I'll tell you I love you
	until the words disappear,
	and you'll hear that echo
	in the silence just fine --

	(me telling you that I love you,
	the grandchildren laughing outside,
	the white water rush in the old Susquehana,
	your favorite song one last time.)"