From the passenger's seat I heard the story of the sky
Of challenger and reasons why
It didn’t make it, it didn’t fly
And of the astronauts who burned in the fire
 
From the car to the classroom with a knot in my chest
The wavering voice recounts the ascent
The snow falls down like stars going by
Like the dreams of the seven that fell from the sky
 
Nothing is painless
When there’s so much to lose
How do I take this
How do I carry the news
What is the future
If this is now
Watching the brightest
Fall to the ground
 
Should we move on to Discovery, and try this again
The race with the Russians is on Reagan’s breath
Is the face of God worth trying to understand
Taking one small step and leaving his hand
 
Upward and onward
Or stuck in one place
Are we moving forward?
Or should we have stayed
Or should we have stayed

Nothing is painless
When there’s so much to lose
How do I take this
How do I carry the news
What is the future
If this is now
Watching the brightest
Fall to the ground.