Standard (EADGBE)

it's desert ice outside but this diner has thawed my ears

 hot coffee in a clean white mug and a smile when the waitress hears

 that I was born in North Caro - lina

 not an hour from her home town

 and we used to play the same pizza parlor pin - ball

and there's a glance in time sus - pended as I wonder how it is

we've been swept up just by circumstance to where the coyote lives

 where my days are strips of highway

 and she's wiping tables down

holding on and still waiting for that windfall

 but I've come home

even though I've never had so far to go

I've come home

I pay the check and leave the change from a crumpled ten-dollar bill

 head across the street where VACANCY is burning in neon still

 well the night eats up my body heat

 and there's no sign of another

 and I find myself slipping down into that black

but things are good I've got a lot of followers of my faith

 I've got a whole congre - gation living in my head these days

 and I'm preaching from the pulpit

 to cries of "Amen brother"

closing my eyes to feel the warmth come back

and I've come home

 even though I swear I've never been so alone

I've come home

 I just want to be living as I'm dying

 just like everybody here

 just want to know my little flicker of time is worth - while

 and I don't know where I'm driving to

 but I know I'm getting old

 and there's a blessing in every moment every mile

thin white terry bars of soap and a couple little plastic cups

old Gideons Bible in the nightstand drawer saying "Go on open up"

 well I'll kneel down on the carpet here

 though I never was sure of God

 think to - night I'll give Him the benefit of the doubt

I switch off the lights and imagine that waitress outlined in the bed

her hair falling all a - round me

 I smile and shake my head

 well we all write our own endings

 and we all have our own scars

 but to - night I think I see what it's all a - bout

because I've come home

I've come home