Ash on the Hearth

[Verse 1]

You lit one lamp

Left it by the door

Bootprints fading

In the rushes on the floor

Smoke in the thatch

Salt on your sleeve

You said my name

Then you chose to leave

[Chorus]

Ash on the hearth where the fire ran cold

Your cup in the corner

Handprint on the old oak door

I keep this house for the stories you told

But the only voice I’m hearing

Is the sea against the shore

[Verse 2]

Your cloak still hangs

Crooked on the nail

Storm’s been talking

In a tongue of rain and hail

A cracked tin plate

Half a broken comb

Every small thing

Says you’re not coming home

[Chorus]

Ash on the hearth where the fire ran cold

Your cup in the corner

Handprint on the old oak door

I keep this house for the stories you told

But the only voice I’m hearing

Is the sea against the shore

[Bridge]

[Soft whistle enters

Holding a mournful line]

If I had a boat

If I had a prayer

I would trade them both

Just to find you there (just to find you)

[Chorus]

Ash on the hearth where the fire ran cold

Your cup in the corner

Handprint on the old oak door

I keep this house for the stories you told

Till the last ember surrenders

I’ll be watching for you

Watching from the shore