A Long Time Away

Shuddering brakes on the road to Jerusalem
It's so easy to drift when your eyes are so tired
And in the rush to the scene you are one of the millions
In a dirty old town that some killing made holy

Crying, give us the last rites
Or give us our dreaming
Or give us the thunder's rolling--ah ah!

Well, look around, old friend
Nothing is laid to rest
It just grows unattended
And you've been a long time away
You've been a long time away

A break in the clouds like a crack in a cylinder
But now there's blood on the beach and a wreck in the water
As the shadow arrives on the face of your innocence
You feel the shock in your eyes and the shaking in your own hands

And look around, old friend
You live under house arrest
And you sleep undefended
And you've been a long time away
Riding a wild life
But you let go of the reins
And you answer to me now
And you've been a long time away
You've been a long time away!

And it never goes dark
Under these lights
It never goes cold
Under fire
Bring the drums
Bring the lights
Bring the wires