The Living Years lyrics - Chris De Burgh

(originally by Mike & The Mechanics)

Every generation, blames the one before
And all of their frustrations, come beating on your door
I know that I’m a prisoner to all my father held so dear
I know that I’m a hostage to all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thoughts
Stilted conversations, I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got
You say you just don’t see it, he says its perfect sense
You just can’t get agreement, in this present tense
We all talk a different language, talking in defense

So say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late (it’s too late)
When we die (when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

So we open up the quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It’s the bitterness that lasts
So don’t yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective on a different day
And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in, you may just be OK

So say it say it say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
‘Cos it’s too late (it’s too late)
When we die (when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

I wasn’t there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn’t get to tell him, all the things I had to say
I think I caught his spirit, later that same year
I’m sure I heard his echo in my baby’s newborn tears
I just, wish I could have told him in the living years

So say it say it say it loud
Say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
‘Cos it’s too late (it’s too late)
When we die (when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

Yes it’s too late (it’s too late)
When we die (when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

Every generation…