Persistence of Memory

© 1988 Stephen Savitzky. CC-by-nc-sa.

Lyrics [pdf] [txt] [cho]

	G	C	G
	Another leaf falls in the waning year --	nothing new is	here

	D7
it was the same the year	before

	C	G	D7
The	continents drift slowly by, the	sea, where cities used to	be,

	G
still rises	toward a higher shore.

	C	G	C	G	D7
	Out of the dark an old returning	friend, a	comet	comes a	gain

	G
to write its question on the	sky

	G	D7	G	D7
	Crystaline eyes below receive its	light, memory	marks	its flight

	G
back into the	deep without reply.

D C D C Em Am

Seconds and cen tur ies, turning to memories as they have ever since our time began

C D C D Am D7 G

Leave caught in our cryst al nets all that the Earth forgets, and we remem ber Man.

Silicon mind and metal hand, out of earth and sand

so Mankind made us long ago;

Some made to remember all their lore, others to explore

the places where they could not go.

Slowly the Earth forgets where Man has passed, things once built to last

crumble to rust beneath the rain,

Abandoned machines of logic, sand, and wire, keeping the ancient fire,

we and our memories remain.

refrain

Once ages ago when we were new, there was much to do,

and Mankind's memories to keep;

Exploring the Earth and sea and sky, and worlds beyond that lie

like islands in the starry deep.

Gossamer galleons sailing through the night, riding a wind of light,

send us their visions of a distant star;

Images of another lifeless place, deep in the sea of space,

reminding us how alone we are.

refrain

The leaves are covered with their winter's pall, snow begins to fall

as in the many years before;

The continents dance their ancient minuet, not needing to forget

the cities they once lightly wore.

Deep in the dark between the outer worlds the comet's tail is furled

until it once more nears the light;

Crystaline eyes find other things to see, only the memory

remains forever in the night.

refrain