ALBUM - You'll Paint a Sunset Someday

I Wish I Could Hear The Applause

Published by Dusty Records, BMI
Words: Michael O'Connor
Music: Sally Klein O'Connor

©Copyright 1998 Improbable People Ministries

On the way out I noticed the old guy
He was cleaning up after the band
When he put down his mop and stepped into the spot
With a broomstick guitar in his hand

He sang of forgotten tomorrows
And of memories that he never had
He was full of cheap whisky and full of himself
But you know what, he wasn't half bad

I stood there at least twenty minutes
'Til a board in the wooden floor cracked
I was embarrassed but he couldn't care less
That he had been caught in the act

He said I saw you tonight--you were something
Hey, I used to sing sweet as you
But somehow the notes all turned sour and old
And the audience started to boo

I don't miss the road or the hotels
I don't miss my name up in lights
I don't miss my face in the papers
When I joined in some sweet barroom fights
I don't really miss the musicians
Or the paydays from standing room draws
No I don't miss the money or the women I loved
But I wish I could hear the applause

I asked him to sing me another
And I offered my brand new guitar
But he wouldn't part with his broomstick
’cause tonight that's what made him a star

So he tuned the old broom to perfection
And he strummed with a sad little wink
Oh I had big plans like any young man
But the dreams weren't as strong as the drink

I don't miss the 8x10 pictures
I don't miss the autograph hounds
I don't miss the late night rehearsals
On the bus headin' for the next town
I don't miss the years that I've wasted
Knowing what might have been never was
But if I could bring back a moment in time
I wish I could hear the applause

It's a hard pill to swallow
A tough thing to take
When you know in your heart
That you could've been great

I thought about slipping him twenty
Then slipping out on some pretext
But how do you not throw a line to a man
Who's drowning in all those regrets

So I pulled out some chapters and verses
With the strength of a Spirit unseen
Recounted the life of a carpenter's son
And wooed him with John 3:16

He sat there in utter amazement
Like a blind man just given his sight
Together we scoured the Gospels until
He realized the case was airtight

So he gave up his heart in surrender
But, Oh, what a stunning defeat
As he picked up his broom , a new song filled the room
For the One he was bound soon to meet

Now I don't miss his face or his friendship
I don't miss his jokes or their bite
I don't miss our time in the Bible
Where he hunted for loopholes each night
I don't miss his casual concerts
Or his voice with the gravelly flaws
But if there's a broomstick in Heaven tonight
I wish I could hear the applause
I wish I could hear the applause
Lord, I wish I could hear the applause

ORDER SALLY'S MUSIC
CLOSE WINDOW