Ships On The Horizon

Lyrics

Verse 1
Sand in their shoes
Lines in the dirt
Little hands building
A world that can’t hurt
They trace out the clouds
Name every one
Waiting for footsteps
Counting the suns

Chorus
Ships on the horizon
We stand and we stare
Hearts in our throats
Salt in the air
We practiced our stories
We saved every word
Ships on the horizon
Please be the ones we’ve heard

Verse 2
Laughter like bells
Carried by wind
They flap their arms
And spin and spin
They hum little patterns
Safe in their heads
Guarding the pictures
Under their beds

Pre-Chorus
Then shadows grow longer
The sky folds in gray
Something feels crooked
But hope doesn’t fade

Chorus
Ships on the horizon
We stand and we stare
Hearts in our throats
Salt in the air
We practiced our stories
We saved every word
Ships on the horizon
Please be the ones we’ve heard

Bridge
Metal mouths open
Strangers in black
Heavy feet pounding
The joy turning back
They scatter like sparrows
Hands over ears
Names on their tongues
Tangled with tears
Where are the faces
We drew every night?
Who are these voices
Sharp as a knife?

Verse 3
Sirens inside them
Too bright
Too loud
They trip on their sandals
Get lost in the crowd
One little boy
Still facing the sea
Rocking and whispering
“One day they’ll see me”

Pre-Chorus
Then thunder
Not storm wind
A roar splitting light
A mountain of silver
Tears through the night

Chorus
New ships on the horizon
The water ignites
Hull into hull
Fire and white
Names become battle cries
Spoken in flame
Mothers and fathers
Calling their children’s names

Verse 4
Boots in the dust now
But these are known
The scars on their faces
The way that they hold
Soft little shoulders
Shaking so hard
“I told you I’d find you
In every dark”

Outro
The wrecks sink slowly
Out past the bay
Ash on the water
Drifting away
They stand in a circle
Still touching hands
Love draws a border
Around their land