In the mid seventies
You had a tender voice
You would often sing me
Sweet Baby James
And it sounded as sweet
As when James Taylor sang it

You never showed weakness in belief
If there was ever
A  particle of doubt
In your mind
You hid it well

Deep in your shell

I wanted that assurance you felt
I wanted to kneel where you knelt
Midst smoke rings and kite strings
I wanted the "right" things

I wish I had known you
The good and the bad too

All thought you the righteous half
Of the union but laugh, laugh

It sounds like you both fell
Which irks me, 'cause, do-tell
Why would you not share
Your struggles with me?

Like when I told you
Of the thorn in my side
That I couldn't defeat
As I prayed and I cried

Just wish I'd known
To help deal with my own
Darkness and guilt
Can't you see? Can't you see??

But maybe it's better
For cracking the fetter
That binds us to death
And steals our breath

That I didn't know you

...And you didn't know me