The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168402   Message #4075091
Posted By: Stewie
10-Oct-20 - 10:03 PM
Thread Name: Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook
Subject: RE: Rise Up Mudcat Songbook - Australia
THEY THOUGHT I WAS ASLEEP
(Paul Kelly & The Stormwater Boys)

We were driving back from the country one night
Mum and dad up the front and the rest of us snug and tight
My kid brother grizzled for a little minute
'Til my big sister told him he'd better quit it or die
It had been a long day in the countryside
Playing with the cousins on my mother's side
The sound of the radio closed our eyes, drifting across the seat

And then I fell asleep

Well, I don’t know what woke me up
Maybe a country song or a big truck passing by
But I could hear mama and papa talking
Papa said something, then mama began to cry
No more words then, just soft sobs and my head began to throb
I just lay there playing dog, breathing slow and deep

They thought I was asleep
They thought I was asleep

It seemed like forever ’til the sobbing stopped
Then they talked a little, but just too soft to hear
Daddy kept looking at the side of her face
One hand on the wheel and one hand stroking her hair
The headlights shining from the other way
Showed tears on the cheeks of daddy’s face
I prayed for Jesus to send his grace
And all our souls to keep

Back then I believed
They thought I was asleep
The night was dark and deep
How I wishedI was asleep

Youtube clip

--Stewie.