The years rolled by
Many men were born and many died
There were nations that rose to power
Some fell within the hour
And countless numbers of clouds crossed the sky

The generations grew like vines
Around the walls that she built over so much time
We gathered around her bed
And after every prayer was said
I was lost for words when I looked in Alice's eyes

Iowa, take her as she is
Lay her low and let her know down here she will be missed
Open for a century, the last thing left to close
Was a pair of soft blue eyes that watched a changing world compose

The week went by
Slower than a leper waits to die
But with her children in the room
In the late afternoon
The last cloud of a lifetime passed her eyes

I never said goodbye
Cause it takes too much energy to cry
So I played for her some songs
I wrote when I felt strong
And I watched the words run through Alice's eyes

Iowa, take her as she is
Lay her low and let her know down here she will be missed
Open for a century, the last thing left to close
Was a pair of soft blue eyes that watched a changing world compose