That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be

[Verse 1]
My father sits at night with no lights on
His cigarette glows in the dark
The living room is still
I walk by, no remark

[Verse 2]
I tiptoe past the master bedroom where
My mother reads her magazines
I hear her call sweet dreams
But I forget how to dream

[Chorus]
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry

[Verse 3]
My friends from college, they're all married now
They have their houses and their lawns
They have their silent noons
Tearful nights, angry dawns

[Verse 4]
Their children hate them for the things they're not
They hate themselves for what they are
And yet they drink, they laugh
Close the wound, hide the scar

[Chorus]
But you say it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry

[Verse 5]
You say that we can keep our love alive
Babe, all I know is what I see
The couples cling and claw
And drown in love's debris

[Verse 6]
You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds
But soon you'll cage me on your shelf
I'll never learn to be just me first
By myself

[Chorus]
Well okay, it's time we moved in together
And raised a family of our own, you and me
Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be
You want to marry me
We'll marry (Marry)