That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be

My father sits at night with no lights on His cigarette glows in the dark. The living room is still; I walk by, no remark. I tiptoe past the master bedroom where My mother reads her magazines. I hear her call sweet dreams, But I forgot how to dream. But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me - Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be: You want to marry me, we'll marry. My friends from college they're all married now; They have their houses and their lawns. They have their silent noons, Tearful nights, angry dawns. Their children hate them for the things they're not; They hate themselves for what they are- And yet they drink, they laugh, Close the wound, hide the scar. But you say it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me - Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be: You want to marry me, we'll marry. You say we can keep our love alive Babe - all I know is what I see - The couples cling and claw And drown in love's debris. You say we'll soar like two birds through the clouds, But soon you'll cage me on your shelf - I'll never learn to be just me first By myself. Well O.K., it's time we moved in together And raised a family of our own, you and me - Well, that's the way I've always heard it should be, You want to marry me, we'll marry, We'll marry.