The Prodigal's Return

My road's been straight without much turning
I am alone and on my way
It won't do to dwell upon all that I once held dear
I know I can't get there from here
So I keep going on

I used to have a hometown where I was born and raised
Those old familiar faces used to mean the world to me
And that meant a world of meaning, I guess I had it made
But I used up my years to be and I just walked away

I just walked away, set myself free
So young and unafraid so long ago
I could have had a future if I'd done what I was told
But I would not let it be, no, I just walked away

I used to get religion on every seventh day
I used to faithfully recite the lessons I had learned
But what they wanted from me was more than I could say
So I never was confirmed, no, I just walked away

I just walked away, set myself free
So young and unafraid so long ago
I could have had a future if I'd done what I was told
But I would not let it be, no, I just walked away

I usually forget my dreams but one I've got by heart
In this one recurring dream it seems I've come back home to stay
And nothing's changed and no one's aged and here's the strangest part
I get down on my knees to pray and wake up with a start

And my road's been straight without much turning
I am alone and on my way
It won't do to dwell upon all that I once held dear
I know I can't get there from here
So I keep going on