Half Past Seven

Half past seven, you'd come in I'd be halfway down the stairs You'd put your work bag by the back door Still a night shift in your hair Two slices in the toaster "How's that test?" you'd ask again I would say, "It's only Tuesday" You'd say, "Right, I'll ask you then"

You were there at half past seven When your day was nearly done When my worries filled the kitchen You would listen to each one I know now you must have wanted Just to close your eyes instead But you'd wait till I was ready Before you went to bed

That purple bike from down the road Kept losing half its chain You had oil across your fingers When you let me try again You ran behind me to the corner Shouting, "Watch where you're going" When I asked why you were coughing You said, "Just a fly, no doubt"

You were there at half past seven When your day was nearly done When my worries filled the kitchen You would listen to each one I know now you must have wanted Just to close your eyes instead But you'd wait till I was ready Before you went to bed

Now it's fifty on the candles And you've planted twenty rows I don't think we need that many But you say, "We'll see what grows" I come round on Sunday mornings And you show me every leaf Dad, I didn't come for tomatoes I came for you and me

Put the kettle on at seven I'll bring something for us both You can tell me how the garden's doing How the little green things grow I don't need you fixing anything There's nowhere I have to be Dad, you've given me so many mornings Have this one with me

Half past seven Pull a chair up next to mine We've got time We've got time