My Father's House

Last night I dreamed that I was a child Out where the pines grow wild and tall I was trying to make it home through the forest Before the darkness falls I heard the wind rustling through the trees And ghostly voices rose from the fields I ran with my heart pounding down that broken path With the devil snappin' at my heels I broke through the trees and there in the night My father's house stood, shining hard and bright The branches and brambles tore my clothes, scratched my arms But I ran 'til I fell, shaking in his arms I awoke and I imagined hard things that pulled us apart They will never again, sir, tear us from each other's hearts I got dressed and to that house I did ride From out on the road, I could see its windows shining in light I walked up the steps and stood on the porch A woman I didn't recognize came and spoke to me through a chained door I told her my story and who I'd come for She said, "I'm sorry, but no one by that name lives here anymore" My father's house shines hard and bright It stands like a beacon, calling me in the night Calling and calling, so cold and alone Shining 'cross this dark highway, where all our sins lie unatoned