The Spaceman’s Prayer

I still remember when I left her so many stars ago
A marble with pearl and white, all over shone with gold
She huddled in her blackened veil of glory and of pain
Then Sol had rose behind her, and I saw her not again

Oh, Mother Earth of years long passed, forgive your foolish child
Who left your love and warmth behind to travel free and wild
I've wandered farther than was wise, a starman lost at sea
But now I've lost your tenderness, your sunset's I've not seen

I've felt so many passions in my years away from you
The horizon that I've chased dissolves forever when I move
I've found so many wonders that I've never dreamed before
But none can match the love I feel for your sweet-ringing shores

I left a woman in my wake who thought she'd be my bride
And when I think too much on her, I lay at night and cry
I can't return to right the wrongs, I'm caught in time's cruel tide
I'll never see my Earth again, and so, alone I'll die

My time is short, my years were long, though empty were my days
If I could live it all again, but no, dear God, I pray
I long to set my feet once more upon my globe of birth
And rest my weary mind and eyes on the cool green hills of Earth
I only pray that I could die on the cool green hills of Earth