Hey old man, I did bad tonight.
I shuddered all the doors, I shut out the lights.
And I never stopped to think,
Because thinking just could kill you
And I spent the night awake.
Does it sound familiar?
Ali died last night, I wanted to inform you.
You'd tell me how he'd hide in the ropes from Foreman,
And make it out alive.
I think you were trying to warn me now.
All the while listening to the sound
Of your shaking son, terrified of the world around him.
Hey old man, I've got something more to ask you.
When the vessel starts to go, did it feel like life passed you?
Is there weight to be given to the parallels I'm living?
I get shaken down by heights
And the ropes upon my back are giving way.
Is it why we do the things that we're doing wrong now?
Isn't trust a funny thing, once you've gone and earned it?
Do they ever learn, we never meant to burn it down?
And can you imagine the sound when your shaking son
Picks up the phone and you're gone.
When the lights went down did you think there was still work to do?
"Do they need me still?" or did you think,
"Yeah, I guess I could use a rest."
And when I couldn't bear to think,
I had a bit to drink and climbed up a ladder.
To the roof and nothing moved or mattered.
The whole world seemed up just another rung.
And I didn't feel fear, just this longing for what came after.
I wanted to tell you, dirty hand on my head saying,
"Son, it only gets better."
So I keep climbing.
I keep climbing.
What else can I do, old man?
I keep climbing.