Every generation Blames the one beforeAnd all of their frustrations Come beating on your doorI know that I'm a prisoner To all my father held so dearI know that I'm a hostage To all his hopes and fearsI just wish I could have told him In the living yearsCrumpled bits of paper Filled with imperfect thoughtsStilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've gotYou say you just don't see He says it's perfect senseYou just can't get agreement In this present tenseWe all talk a different language Talking in defenseSay it loud Say it clearYou can listen as well as you hearIt's too late when we die To admit we don't see eye to eyeSo we open up a quarrel Between the present and the pastWe only sacrifice the future It's the bitterness that lastsSo don't yield to the fortunes You sometimes see as fateYou may have a new perspective On a different dateAnd if you don't give up You don't give inHe may just be okayI wasn't there that morning When my father passed awayI didn't get to tell him All the things I had to sayI think I caught his spirit Later that same yearI'm sure I heard his echo In my baby's newborn tearsI just wish I could have told him In the living yearsSay it loud Say it clearYou can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we dieTo admit we don't see eye to eye Say it loud Say it clearYou can listen as well as you hear It's too late when we dieTo admit we don't see eye to eyeI wish I could have told him I wish I could have told himI wish I could have told him In the living years