The skies were pure and the fields were green

And the sun was brighter than it's ever been

When I grew up with my best friend Kenny

We were close as any brothers than you ever knew



It was always summer and the future called

We were ready for adventures and we wanted them all

And there was so much left to dream

And so much time to make it real



But I can still recall the sting of all

The tears when he was gone

They said he crashed and burned

I know I'll never learn

Why any boy should die so young



We were racing, we were soldiers of fortune

We got in trouble but we sure got around

There are times I think I see him peeling out of the dark

I think he's right behind me now and he's gaining ground



But it was long ago and it was far away,

Oh God it seems so very far

And if life is just a highway,

Then the soul is just a car

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are



And when the sun descended and the night arose

I heard my father cursing everyone he knows

He was dangerous and drunk and defeated

And corroded by failure and envy and hate



There were endless winters and the dreams would freeze

Nowhere to hide and no leaves on the trees

And my father's eyes were blank

As he hit me again and again and again



I know I still believe he'd never let me leave,

I had to run away alone

So many threats and fears, so many wasted years

Before my life became my own



And though the nightmares should be over

Some of the terrors are still intact

I'll hear that ugly coarse and violent voice

And then he grabs me from behind

And then he pulls me back



But it was long ago and it was far away,

Oh God it seems so very far

And if life is just a highway,

Then the soul is just a car

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are



There was a beauty living on the edge of town

And she always put the top up and the hammer down

And she taught me everything I'll ever know

About the mystery and the muscle of love



The stars would glimmer and the moon would glow

I'm in the back seat with my Julie like a Romeo

And the signs along the highway all said,

Caution! Kids At Play!



Those were the rights of spring and we did everything

There was salvation every night

We got our dreams reborn and our upholstery torn

But everything we tried was right



She used her body just like a bandage,

She used my body just like a wound

I'll probably never know where she disappeared

But I can see her rising up out of the back seat now

Just like an angel rising up from a tomb



But it was long ago and it was far away,

Oh God it seems so very far

And if life is just a highway,

Then the soul is just a car

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are

And objects in the rear view mirror

May appear closer than they are



She used her body just like a bandage,

She used my body just like a wound

I'll probably never know where she disappeared

But I can see her rising up out of the back seat now