Homecoming

[G]it's desert [G]ice outside but this d[C]iner has thawed my e[G]ars
hot c[G]offee in a c[C]lean white mug and a [G]smile when the waitress h[D]ears
that I was [Em]born in North Caro - [C]lina
not an h[G]our from her home town
and we u[C]sed to play the same p[G]izza parlor pin - b[D]all

[G]and there's a g[G]lance in time sus - [C]pended as I w[G]onder how it is
[G]we've been swept up just by c[C]ircumstance to w[G]here the coyote l[D]ives
where my d[Em]ays are strips of h[C]ighway
and she's w[G]iping tables down
[C]holding on and still w[G]aiting for that w[D]indfall

but I've   [G] come[C] home   [G]
[G]even though I've never [C]had so far to [G]go   [D]
[G]I've [C]   come h[G]ome

[G]I pay the check and l[C]eave the change from a c[G]rumpled ten-dollar bill
head across the street where [C]VACANCY is b[G]urning in neon s[D]till
well the [Em]night eats up my b[C]ody heat
and there's [G]no sign of another
and I f[C]ind myself slipping d[G]own into that b[D]lack

[G]but things are g[C]ood I've got a lot of f[G]ollowers of my f[G]aith
I've got a whole congre - g[C]ation living [G]in my head these d[D]ays
and I'm p[Em]reaching from the p[C]ulpit
to [G]cries of "Am[C]en brother"
[C]closing my eyes to f[G]eel the warmth come b[D]ack

[G]and I[G]'ve  [C]  come h[G]ome   [D]
even t[G]hough I swear I've n[C]ever been so a[G]lone   [D]
[G]I've   [C]  come h[G]ome

I[G] just want to be l[Em]iving as I'm d[C]ying
just like e[G]verybody here
just want to know my little f[C]licker of time is worth - w[G]hile
and I d[Em]on't know where I'm dr[C]iving to
but I k[G]now I'm getting old
and there's a b[C]lessing in every [G]moment every m[D]ile

[G]thin white t[C]erry bars of soap and a c[G]ouple little plastic cups
[G]old Gideons Bible in the n[C]ightstand drawer saying "[G]Go on open [D]up"
well I'll k[Em]neel down on the c[C]arpet here
though I n[G]ever was sure of G[G]od
think to - n[C]ight I'll give Him the b[G]enefit of the d[D]oubt

[G]I switch off the lights and i[C]magine that waitress o[G]utlined in the bed
[G]her hair falling all a - r[C]ound me
I smile [G]and shake my head  [D]
well we [Em]all write our own e[C]ndings
and we a[G]ll have our own scars
but to - n[C]ight I think I s[G]ee what it's all a - b[D]out

[G]because I[G]'ve [C]  come h[G]ome  [D]
[G]I've [C]  come h[G]ome