BURY ME IN LEAVES
By Stephen Cluff

In the front yard with my father
As wood smoke curls in through the trees
Dad uses his old red rake to gather for me
A growing pile of leaves
Our laughter rises as the temperature falls
And dad's strong arms bury me with care
I'm surprised at the warmth found in this chill autumn breeze
Only my upturned laughing face remains bare.

(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
Bury me in leaves

Spring and summer have now faded
My father and youth are far away
It's grown cold and bare branches fracture the sky
Looking for warmth on another autumn day

(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
Bury me in leaves

Sometimes when color and warmth are forgotten
I want to walk the forest and lie beneath the trees
And resting my head on my folded arm
Wait for the wind to bury me in leaves.

(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
Bury me in leaves

I'm in the front yard with my son now
As wood smoke curls in through the trees
And I use a brand new rake to gather for him
A growing pile of leaves
Our laughter rises as the temperature falls
And I bury him with care
I'm still surprised at the warmth to be found in a chill autumn breeze
Only his upturned laughing face remains bare.

(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
(I want it back, I want it back)
Bury me in leaves
Bury me in leaves