The Man's Death and a Dream Lyrics

The man went for a walk with his youngest grandchildren, Mary and James, to the park

His palms sweaty as he walked, and they made their way across Commonwealth Avenue

As they passed the George Washington statue, he began to retell the tale of the Triumph at Trenton

James looked up with eager attention as he heard his grey-haired grandfather retell

How General George Washington yelled, "Press on, boys! Press on!" through the paralyzing cold of the Delaware

Mary listened pensively, but kept thinking about how some of the men faked sickness to get out of that battle

The man let out a toothy grin and looked up at the sky

Heart full of whispers

And he let out a sigh

They sat on a bench overlooking the lake

And watched the swan boats as they passed

And Mary marveled at their beauty

Each swan lining the boats seemed gigantic in scope

He gave them bread to feed the ducks and felt a tremble in his chest

Familiar as it were, but more potent than before

His vision started to dim as he slouched on the bench

But the only thing he could see

Was James and Mary

Being merry by the water

And the air was lightning

As the sky came falling

And his breath was leaving as he passed

Face first down in the grass

When he awoke there was a mask on his face and the sound of sirens in his ears

But the thing that stuck with him most was his granddaughter's tears

As the paramedics crouched over him

Their metal tools doing life-work

And he dosed off for a dream

La di de da di de da

And the air was lightning

And the sea was shining as they danced

And how they danced!

His wife, alive and well, with ribbons in her hair

And the sea had all to tell

Yes, the sea has all to tell