Lovers accustomed to tragedy
See every kiss in the window across the street
Breezes and blessings pa**ing by
I'm in the shade of the dogwood tree
Not the one where you told your name to me
Two hungry blackbirds land near by
If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be happy under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Could you be trusted over me?
Spoke to a mother whose baby drowned
Gave me advice, or a rumour she once heard:
"Heaven's a distance, not a place"
Gave her an ear from the corn we grew
You were away but she gave her thanks to you
That was a year ago come May
If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be smothered under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Would you be cryin' over me?
I could hear kids in the yard next door
Cats in the brush when the calendar fell down
Wait by the shade-tree one more year
Poetry tempered with tragedy
Tempted and pulled when you cry upon my sleeve
Two flocks of blackbirds meet the air
If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be happy under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Could you be trusted over me?