For sure there are a lot of tears, but I'm not crying
Funny that, being dead, I might weep for love but only in my head
She takes a tray, brings round the tea, customs calling
They've ribboned off a room for eating in and another one for grieving
Whisky burns, sheds the coats, but the ones who need it most are too ragged in the throat
And they would have me sing of you, that you were just on loan
Another flower in the basket of the master
And if I bite the tongue that speaks of you and I change your room around
Would I forget you any faster?
You were a weight upon their shoulders
They carried you so far, too big for sympathy at school
A bright and lawless spark, they're setting up your image now
And they're playing by their empty social rules
And they would have me sing of you, that you were just on loan
Another flower in the basket of the master
And if I bite the tongue that speaks of you and I change your room around
Would I forget you any faster
Sometimes I dream that you are back, imagine what it would be like
To see how we'd spend the day, but I think we'd still only fight
You haven't gone beyond my love, beyond my prayers
There has to be a heaven somewhere
And they would have me sing of you, that you were just on loan
Another flower in the basket of the master
And if I bite the tongue that speaks of you and I change your room around
Would I forget you any faster?
It's good to be remembered but I know you'd hate their show
And I wish before you went that they had only let you know
It's good to be remembered but I shouldn't have let you go
And I wish before you went that I had only let you know