I’M READING A LETTER, IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER
IT SURE DOES ME GOOD TO SEE AN OLD LADY SMILE
AND WATCH AS SHE WANDERS BACK THROUGH THE MEMORIES
DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS AND THE THOUSANDS OF MILES
TO REACH OUT HER ARMS, TO HOLD ME OR SCOLD ME
OR LAUGH AND A WARNING INSTEAD
THEN SUPPER AND PRAYERS AND A ROOM BY THE STAIRS
WHERE THREE OF US CHILDREN LAY DOWN OUR HEADS

BUT I CAN'T HOLD THE YEARS BACK
CAN’T HOLD THE TEARS BACK
THE JOY OR THE SADNESS OF SO LONG AGO
I CAN’T MAKE THE SAME SUN
SHINE THROUGH THE WINDOW
OR TURN THIS OLD HOUSE BACK INTO A HOME

NOW PRAYING TOGETHER MEANS STAYING TOGETHER
BUT THE WINDS OF TIME THEY DO BLOW
THE BOOKS IN THAT OLD ROOM WRAPPED IN THEIR OWN GLOOM
WITH LESSONS THAT EVEN I DIDN'T KNOW
THE MEDALS OF GLORY AND EACH SUCCESS STORY
ARE FRAMED AND POLISHED BY OLD HANDS THAT CARE
THE CARD OF REMBERANCE WITH ONE EXTRA LONG GLANCE
FOR THE ONE WHO DIDN 'T GET ANYWHERE

BUT I CAN'T HOLD THE YEARS BACK
CAN’T HOLD THE TEARS BACK
THE JOY OR THE SADNESS OF SO LONG AGO
I CAN’T MAKE THE SAME SUN
SHINE THROUGH THE WINDOW
OR TURN THIS OLD HOUSE BACK INTO A HOME

NO, I CAN'T HOLD THE YEARS BACK
CAN’T HOLD THE TEARS BACK
THE JOY OR THE SADNESS OF SO LONG AGO
I CAN’T MAKE THE SAME SUN
SHINE THROUGH THE WINDOW
OR TURN THIS OLD HOUSE BACK INTO A HOME

OH, I CAN'T HOLD THE YEARS BACK