homecoming ( walter’s song )
vienna teng
( warm strangers 2004 )

intro : E A E
B A E

E A E
it’s desert ice outside but this diner has thawed my ears
B A E B
hot coffee in a clean white mug and a smile when the waitress hears
G# C#m A E
that i was born in north carolina , not an hour from her home town
F#m A B
and we used to play the same pizza parlor pinball

E A E
and there’s a glance in time suspended as i wonder how it is
B A E B
we’ve been swept up just by circumstance to where the coyote lives
G# C#m A E
where my days are strips of highway , and she’s wiping tables down
F#m A B
holding on and still waiting for that windfall

E A E
but i . . . ’ve come home
B A E
even though i’ve never had so far to go
E A E B/D# C#m F#m A B
i . . . ’ve come ho . . . . . . . . . . . . . me

E A E
i pay the check and leave the change from a crumpled ten – dollar bill
B A E B
head across the street where vacancy is burning in neon still
G# C#m A E
well the night eats up my body heat , and there’s no sign of another
F#m A B
and i find myself slipping down into that black

E A E
but things are good i’ve got a lot of followers of my faith
B A E B
i’ve got a whole congregation living in my head these days
G# C#m G# C#m B
and i’m preaching from the pulpit to cries of “amen brother”
A B
closing my eyes to feel the warmth come back

E A E
but i . . . ’ve come home
B A E
even though i swear i’ve never been so alone
E A E B/D# C#m F#m A B
yet i . . . ’ve come ho . . . . . . . . . . . . . me

G# C#m A E
i just want to be living as i’m dying , just like everybody here
B A B E
just want to know my little flicker of time is worthwhile
G# C#m A E
and i don’t know where i’m driving to , but i know i’m getting old
F# A B
and there’s a blessing in every moment every mile

E A E
B A E

E A E
thin white terry bars of soap and a couple little plastic cups
B A E B
old gideons bible in the nightstand drawer saying “go on open up”
G# C#m A E
well i’ll kneel down on the carpet here , though i never was sure of god
F#m A B
think tonight i’ll give him the benefit of the doubt

E A E
i switch off the lights and imagine that a waitress outlined in the bed
B A E B
her hair falling all around me , i smile and shake my head
G# C#m A E
well we all write our own endings , and we all have our own scars
F#m A B
but tonight i think i see what it’s all about

E A E
cause i . . . ’ve come home
B A E
ooooooooooooooh
E A E B/D# C#m F#m A B E
i . . . i . . . . . . . . . i . . . . i’ve come home