Don't Wait

Well I was searchin', by myself
Singin' old songs, see if they help
I took the low way, along the sea
Met an older man, and he said to me
"Sing me a song son, lay it down
Bring it forth, then stand your ground"
It smelled like winter, it all felt fine
In that dry bone hazy late November time

He said "I've known high times, more than once
Now I stick strictly to the honky tonks
And I've known danger, and I've known defeat
I've seen whole generations fall to sleep
I've danced with angels, I've drank my fill
I've talked with God, out on the hill
And I know my face, but I live my name
But I go by Charlie Hawker all the same"

"Where are you goin' tonight
Where are you goin' so late
Your country needs you, boy don't wait
Where are you goin'
Where are you going"

And then he stopped, "Come here to me
So that I can look at you, so that I can see"
But then he smiled, he let me know
And in that space lies all the things I'll never know
And then the sun, sank in the west
He said "Boy, you know you may never be at rest"
I turned around, to face the light
And with a heavy heart, I walked into the night

"Where are you goin' tonight
Where are you goin' so late
Your country needs you, boy don't wait
Where are you goin'
Where are you going"