Robert Earl Keen
These Years


capo 1


C G C G



C
 Down the hill
G
 Through the light
C               G
 Past the city jail
C
 I watch and walk
G        C
 Every night
G
 I wonder who to tell


C                   G
 How can I tell my father
C                 F
 He's been gone these years
C                    G
 I couldn't tell my father
F                     C
 I couldn't bear the tears


I was lost
In a rage
It never meant to be
Now the cost
Has set the stage
And it will bury me

How can I tell my mother
She's been gone these years
I couldn't tell my mother
I couldn't bear the tears


The shady ground
Beneath his knees
Was cool and still as death
He moved around
The crimson leaves
And wondered with each breath

How could I tell my lover
I couldn't bear her tears
How could I tell my lover
She's been gone these years