level 42
my father's shoes
Even now I see him walking home at sundown He's whistling rock of ages  With his lunch box at his side I still recall the smell of smoke  And ashes on his jacket And that factory dust was on his shoes  The afternoon he died  I swore I'd never heed that factory whistle In a banker's cage I signed a loan  Against my future sins All the neighbors shook my hand And wished me well upon my leaving Though my father was a poor man  He owned a wealth of friends  So take these boots that shine like Judas silver And all these sad reflections on lost untraveled roads While the rain falls on a field of bones and roses Give me back my father's shoes and let me walk in those  My stroke was good, the deals fell fast end easy I hired the sweat of honest men and took the lion's share My wardrobe filled with shirts of silk And boots of tender leather And I walked in them the halls of power But found no comfort there  So take these boots that shine like Judas silver And all these sad reflections on lost untraveled roads While the rain falls on a field of bones and roses Give me back my father's shoes and let me walk in those  Lady lay these boots upon the fire 'Cause lady now I swear I'll never wear this pair again I meant to stand up straight and tall It never was that easy Now these soles are stained from walking on the dreams Of better men  So take these boots that shine like Judas silver And all these sad reflections on lost untravelled roads While the rain falls on a field of bones and roses Give me back my father's shoes and let me walk in those