Before and After

The dust settles after a hit and run
Bewildered by the damage done
I don't know why we choose the roads we travel
Or how a life could get so unraveled

We live our lives from then until now
By the mercies received over the mark upon our brow
To my heart I'll collect what the four winds will scatter
And frame my life by before and after

Once a trick of light made me believe
A red fire was blazing from every tree
We held hands as the evening gathered
I forgave myself for what I didn't ask her

Once I saw the sky filled with falling stars
Bumped my head in the dark and it left a scar
Held on too tight before I let it go
Then forgave myself for what I didn't know

We live our lives from then until now
By the mercies received over the mark upon our brow
To my heart I'll collect what the four winds will scatter
And frame my life by before and after

I've stretched my soul over fifty states
I have lived on fumes and religious cornflakes
And once I dreamt my shoes had grown thin and battered
And forgave myself for what didn't matter

God said, "Cain, where is your brother?"
And who will tell his grieving mother?
Jacob dreamt an angel, called his name
And he never was quite the same

We live our lives from then until now
By the mercies received over the mark upon our brow
To my heart I'll collect what the four winds will scatter
And frame my life by before and after