rake up all the leaves in pleasant valley

it’s the last day of my visit upstate new york

to pay respects to the old man

he’s still got his sense of humor

but his body fails him

he’s surrounded by loved ones

but that only goes so far

and does he know where he is?

i doubt it.


jack the lion roaring his last

like a vision sent from the past

bedside, crying, holding his hands

strong hands


finally get a moment alone with the old man

he’s having trouble breathing and he’s not the only one
he wonders where time goes
and why we haven’t spoken for so long

he regrets it
he forgets it
and none too soon…
because he’s closing his eyes and fading

we thank you for uniting
we thank you for the cause
we thank you for the lion
we thank you for the claws

come see him again
come see him again
come see him again
come see him again
bop bop bop
jack the lion roaring his last
like a vision sent from the past
bedside, crying, holding his hands
strong hands