Joe Henry Sparrow Lyrics

It wasn't peace I wanted
So it wasn't peace I found
I wouldn't stand for reason
And it never would sit down
The bird upon my shoulder
Has not one kind word to say—
My eye is on the sparrow
But she looks the other way

Carry on, and me away
Hey, look alive— the end of days
And our very blood
Taste like honey now

There upon the mountain
Is the shadow of a hand
Tugging at the stubborn mule
Now standing like a man
And twitching like the phantom limb
Of this whole countryside— Disappearing at the knee
And breaking up our stride

Carry on, and me away
Hey, look alive— the end of days
And our very blood
Taste like honey now

I want time and bread and wine
Sugar and a spoon
I want for the hungry years
To be swallowed by this room
I wait out your memory
Now singing in the trees—
I wait for one grave angel
And I know she waits for me

Carry on, and me away
Hey, look alive— the end of days
And our very blood
Taste like honey now