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.