ARTIST: Mike Rutherford
TITLE: In the Living Years
Lyrics and Chords


[Capo 1 for original key]

Every generation
Blames the one before 
And all of their frustrations 
Come beating on your door

/ G - - - / Cmaj7 - - - / :

I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear 
I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and fears 
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

/ F6 - - - / Am - - - / D - C D G - - - /

Crumpled bits of paper 
Filled with imperfect thought 
Stilted conversations 
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it, he says it's perfect sense 
You just can't get agreement in this present tense 
We all talk a different language, talking in defense

{Refrain}
Say it loud, say it clear 
You can listen as well as you hear 
It's too late when we die 
To admit we don't see eye to eye

/ G - - - C - - - / Am - D - G - - - / :

So we open up a quarrel 
Between the present and the past 
We only sacrifice the future 
It's the bitterness that lasts

So don't yield to the fortunes you sometimes see as fate 
It may have a new perspective on a different day 
And if you don't give up, and don't give in, you may just be okay

{Refrain}

I wasn't there that morning 
When my father passed away 
I didn't get to tell him 
All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit later that same year 
I'm sure I heard his echo in my baby's new born tears 
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

{Refrain}

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