Homecoming-Robert Randolph

[00:16.22]it's desert ice outside but this diner has thawed my ears [00:22.65]hot coffee in a clean white mug and a smile when the waitress hears [00:30.37]that I was born in North Carolina [00:34.11]not an hour from her home town [00:37.81]and we used to play the same pizza parlor pinball [00:43.97] [00:45.38]and there's a glance in time suspended as I wonder how it is [00:52.33]we've been swept up just by circumstance to where the coyote lives [01:00.11]where my days are strips of highway [01:04.61]and she's wiping tables down [01:08.27]holding on and still waiting for that windfall [01:14.89] [01:16.41]but I've come home [01:23.99]even though I've never had so far to go [01:31.79]I've come home [01:44.09] [01:48.18]I pay the check and leave the change from a crumpled ten-dollar bill [01:54.49]head across the street where VACANCY is burning in neon still [02:02.18]well the night eats up my body heat [02:06.28]and there's no sign of another [02:09.77]and I find myself slipping down into that black [02:17.23] [02:17.92]but things are good I've got a lot of followers of my faith [02:25.01]I've got a whole congregation living in my head these days [02:32.41]and I'm preaching from the pulpit [02:36.43]to cries of “Amen brother” [02:40.87]closing my eyes to feel the warmth come back [02:48.07] [02:48.29]and I've come home [02:55.25]even though I swear I've never been so alone [03:03.06]I've come home [03:16.74] [03:18.39]I just want to be living as I'm dying [03:23.11]just like everybody here [03:26.32]just want to know my little flicker of time is worthwhile [03:33.65]and I don't know where I'm driving to [03:37.99]but I know I'm getting old [03:41.54]and there's a blessing in every moment every mile [03:56.59] [04:05.08]thin white terry bars of soap and a couple little plastic cups [04:12.23]old Gideons Bible in the nightstand drawer saying “Go on open up” [04:20.04]well I'll kneel down on the carpet here [04:23.85]though I never was sure of God [04:27.33]think tonight I'll give Him the benefit of the doubt [04:33.14] [04:35.53]I switch off the lights and imagine that waitress outlined in the bed [04:42.55]her hair falling all around me [04:47.10]I smile and shake my head [04:50.38]well we all write our own endings [04:54.51]and we all have our own scars [04:58.28]but tonight I think I see what it's all about [05:05.75] [05:05.93]because I've come home [05:21.49]I've come home