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

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.

I tiptoe past the master bedroom where

My mother reads her magazines.

I hear her call sweet dreams,

But i forgot how to dream.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You say 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.

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.

Well o.k., 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,

We'll marry.