88 Constellations Lyrics - Mary Chapin Carpenter

VERSE 1 

These days are made of leaving home 

But every thought is of returning 

In between is simply known 

For the gasoline I'm burning 

Drop the bags inside the door 

Out of habit pause to listen 

It's the same as before 

There's always something that feels missing 

But not the ghosts and snakes I've swept away 

Though that seemed as good a place to start 

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(CHORUS 1) 

I go forward 

Or fall back 

Forge ahead 

Or veer off track 

Flaming out 

We fade to black 

Stars careening in their crosses 

Someone's always 

Just ahead 

Heels dug in 

Or being led 

Nothing's perfect 

I once said 

And I've learned to cut my losses 

But I could not fix the broken part 

And a tear-stained heart 

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VERSE 2 

I filled my passport with the miles 

Dawn is breaking out the window 

Climb the steps and walk the aisles 

Just another moving shadow 

You know it's easier to be 

All alone instead of lonely 

Yet I know some part of me 

Feels a part of you still always be 

Way down deep where it will not be seen 

But there's no doubt that you have left your mark 

(CHORUS 2) 

You go forward 

Or fall back 

Forge ahead 

Or veer off track 

Flaming out 

We fade to black 

Stars careening in their crosses 

Someone's always 

Just ahead 

Heels dug in 

Or being led 

Nothing's perfect 

You once said 

The king of all lost causes 

But I still wait for you because I'm not 

In my tear-stained heart 

VERSE 3 

These wondrous days we travel fast 

And the clearer I am seeing 

Trade the baggage of the past 

For the likeness of being 

I am studying the stars 

All 88 constellations 

I can sense you from afar 

From my earthly destinations 

And in the wind and every highway song 

A match that strikes or in a random spark 

(CHORUS 3) 

We go forward 

Or fall back 

Forge ahead 

Or veer off track 

Flaming out 

We fade to black 

Stars careening as they beckon 

It's just open road ahead 

The sound of twilight 

Maps unread 

Nothing's perfect 

It's been said 

This is pretty close I reckon 

And I learned more than I'd have ever thought 

From a tear-stained heart