Ghoulish Hearts

The bombs were kinder than the years To those they left behind. Some keep the keys to vanished homes That crumbled into sand; At night they reach across the sheets For someone else's hand. The radio still sings of love - They let it for a while; Then turn it down before the verse That made their sweethearts smile. The townsfolk call them walking dead. The dead don't ache this way. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still beating when they break. The years have worn the headstones down, But never dulled the ache. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still guarding dust and bone. Forever isn't long enough To learn to be alone. They say one ghoul took up his guns For those the cruel would break; His little sister never grew As old as his heartache. They say one glowing showman waits Beneath a painted sky; His love went searching for a cure - Her tape still says goodbye. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still beating when they break. The years have worn the headstones down, But never dulled the ache. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still guarding dust and bone. Forever isn't long enough To learn to be alone. Some dare to love a second time, To knock on one more door; Then find that years can dig a grave As surely as a war. They say one cowboy from the screen Still searches, mile by mile; Two hundred years of blood and dust To see his daughter smile. Some fear the day their names grow strange, When only hunger cries; A hundred years of love gone dark Behind still-open eyes. The cruelest thing the fire spared Was something that could break. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still beating when they break. The years have worn the headstones down, But never dulled the ache. Ghoulish hearts, ghoulish hearts, Still guarding dust and bone. Forever isn't long enough To learn to be alone. One buys two drinks at closing time. One glass stays full till dawn.