When I was just a young boy lifting loads fit for men
Set to leave the farm behind at the harvest ten
Grandfather caught me staring at the open road
As we stood there in the fields that we had sewn
Said that road is long and hard with many twists and turns
Big mistakes for you will make from them you must learn
You always hold your head high, speak your language loud
Don't look back, make your father proud
Breathing Slow
On the last of the dying ember
My memory has failed and I'm trying to remember
But I know
That I may pass it on
For death will come to take me before long
When I was just a young girl hanging clothes out on the line
Whistling a melody, and taking my sweet time
Grandmother scolded me she squinted at the sun
She says a women's work is never done
She worried I would not marry that my heart was too wild
I should be making some mans home and carrying his child
But my dreams were to big to fit inside I wedding gown
So I packed my bags and headed into town
Breathing slow
On the last of the dying ember
My memory has failed and I'm trying to remember
But I know
That I may pass it on
For death will come to take me before long
I followed and I strayed from that long unwinding road
I'm living out my life on the path that I have chosen
I stepped up to the bar to try and make myself a friend
I stepped out on the stage as the night began again
Through the smoke and music I looked around the hall
Recognizing every face and knowing none at all
I thought about the folks I left behind so long ago
If I went back now what would I have to show
You must know where you're coming from to know where you are bound
I'm sound of heart and sound mind my feet are on the ground
So I'll keep pushing on for my fire is burning yet
With the lessons I swore never to forget
Breathing slow
On the last of the dying ember
My memory has failed and I'm trying to remember
But I know
That I may pass it on
For death will come to take me before long
For death welcome to take me before long