Lyrics I Just Came Home To Count The Memories - Gillian Welch , David Rawlings

I saw roses choking in the grass, flaking paint in a broken windowpane
A mailbox barely standing by the driveway and I could almost read the name
A swing set and forgotten toys where little girls and boys played happy games
Everything I ever cared about is gone now, but the memories still remain
And the old man from the house across the street asked, "How's it going?" and I said "Fine"
The expression on his face would make you think he could almost read my mind
And that Johnson boy from down the road was asking if the kids could come and play
Lord, I wish I could have told him yes, but I just said, "I guess, son, not today"

Just came home to count the memories I've been counting in my mind
I just came home to count the memories of a better day and time

And all the birds that sang such pretty songs aren't singing like they did when we were here
'Cause there's no happiness in music if somebody isn't close enough to care
So I picked a ragged daisy from its home in the corner of a yard
'He loves me, he loves me not', now I don't have to wonder anymore

I just came home to count the memories I've been counting in my mind
I just came home to count the memories of a better day and time
I just came home to count the memories, guess it's time to say goodbye