My Father's Shoes

Even now I see him walking home at sundown he's whistling rock of ages with his lunchbox 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 neighbours 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 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 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 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 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