A flash brighter than lightning overhead, 
But my town is asleep 
So they don't see my father coming home 
I imagine him walking in the middle of this night 
All the way back to us 
He likes to look up at the sky as he 
Steps out onto familiar ground, 
Now he's rounding our corner 
Now he's walking through the door 
He's walking through the door 

And my mother with her deadened eyes, 
She comes alive 

"Don't go" I plead even though I know 
His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky 
I know it tears him up inside to say 
"It's only one more time" 
He knows it's just a lie 
He wants to believe 

"I need 
The stars flying by me, 
The earth afloat above, or below, it doesn't matter 
where, 
Just as long as it isn't right here 

I'll be back before you know it and then 
I promise you 
I'll be home for good" 
"Let me go with you" I have begged ever since I was a 
child 
I know just what he's going to say: 
"I don't want you to end up like me, 
Aching between 
The mystery of new planets to be explored 
And the comfort of this ancient discovery beneath our 
feet. 

You'll struggle to give up that which you love 
And it's not easy 
Son, just please promise me 
You won't become like me." 

I just nod and let go even though I know 
His strong love for us both won't keep him from the sky 
I know it tears him up inside to say 
"It's only one more time" 

A flash as bright as a rocket ship exploding, 
But my town is asleep 
So they don't see my father die. 
I imagine him falling into the sun 
And I look up at the sky. 
"If only you would have stayed this time" 
Now he's rounding the corner 
Now he's walking through the door 
Please, just walk through that door. 

You'll just disappoint your family 
Every time you leave 

You never kept your promise, 
So I'm not keeping mine 
Wake me at sunset 
So I can say goodbye.