Author: Joe Merkle

I wish I were a ship that spreads its wings
And flies away on a deep blue sea
I wish I were a golden eagle
Soaring far, far above the Rockies

But I guess I’ll have to stay awhile longer
And see what I can do
About this situation
I’ve been put through

And if it weren’t for you I think
All my time would be spent crying, dying
Here you’ve stayed while all the others
Went flying, flying away

Your eyes are my deep blue sea
And you’re smile is my wings to fly
And you’re loving
Is my ticket to the sky

Written in 1973

The simple joys you bring to me
Those moments of ecstasy
How I wish I could guarantee
These things for you

And the knowing is always growing
Shining brightly in those baby blues
As my feelings, always reaching
Ever boundless, continue soaring

A gift so great, I hesitate
To put a name upon it
It has no edges, it has no seams
It’s the loom of dreams

So dream my son a dream of dreams
That someday you may find
A son to share some simple joys
And a ride through fantasy

Written in 1980 after the birth of my first child

Drove by the old place tonight
Looking for an old face inside
Knew it would be a waste of my time
Chasing the past-it’s a spiritual crime

I saw lots of pretty new faces
They were all dressed up as hopeless cases
Feeling lost in these emotionless mazes
Had to be nuts to think I’d find traces

Of you, anywhere
I’m filled with fear
I’ve lost you
Forever

All my friends just say that time is on my side
It sure didn’t take long to swallow my pride
Every breath I take is aching for your smile
Hoping every step I take is one closer to finding signs

Of you, anywhere
I’m filled with fear
I’ve lost you
Forever

All my faith in life and luck have been misleading
All my prayers are scattered and they’re fleeting
Memories of you come so easy it’s like breathing
Don’t blame me if I have to keep on seeking

For you, everywhere
I’m filled with fear
I’ve lost you forever
I’ve lost you forever

Your smile is that of a child’s on Christmas day
But your tears are those of a woman who has lost her way
And your loving is like an ocean wave
Engulfing and caressing, all you gave – all you gave

And though I know you’ll deny it, I know you care
And all your laughing and crying can’t hide it – I know it’s there
And this silly game you’re playing will bring you down to your knees
And then you’ll ask pretty please, again

But how can you be so sure I’ll be there
I know one thing for sure, I’ll be going from here
But loving you is so, so easy to do
And leaving you is so, so hard

Hard on me, so hard on me

Feels like a dream, a broken dream
Your smile is that of a child’s on Christmas day
But your tears are of those of a woman who’s lost her way

And your loving is like an ocean wave
Engulfing and caressing, all you gave – all you gave

Written in 1975

These nagging questions in my mind
Oh will they never go away
The doubts, the fears, and all the tears
Oh where’s that sunny day

And it’s so, so easy to be near you
And it’s so, so easy holding you
It’s so hard telling myself it’s through
I just can’t seem to believe it’s true

All the pain, the anguish and blame
Are gifts from me to mine
And though I know they don’t exist
It still hurts none the same

And it’s so, so easy to be near you
And it’s so, so easy holding you
It’s so hard telling myself it’s through
I just can’t seem to believe it’s true

Playing the game, it’s a foolish waste of time
Can’t we just say our goodbyes
I thought it over, such a simple thing to do
Then why the tears in my eyes