You got your cigarette lit
Bathed in the back porch light
Gesturing madly with your drink
Lifting it to your lips
And taking a sip
The air is starry
And the sky is lit
Like the fire in the firepit

We lead ourselves astray
Into lives we never thought we'd leave
Say goodbye like we're saying hello
I can remember watching the shadows recede
On the white picket fence
But not the smile on your face
When it left me without a chance

Oh but these nights
They don't retreat
Oh, no they don't
Retreat
They stay so long
After the war is over

The kids are crying
You tell them it's alright
I take your hand
Pull you closer for the night
If we can keep it up
Play this charade
With our flawless facade
We can make it thru
Until the sun comes up

Oh but these nights
They don't retreat
Oh, no they don't
Retreat
They stay so long
After the war is over

Your cigarette is out
And the spirit's empty
Bottles on the floor
The fire is ashes
And they're burning out
Quicker than we can light the match

We lead ourselves astray
Into lives we never thought we'd leave
Say goodbye like we're saying hello
I can remember watching the shadows recede
On the white picket fence
But not the smile on your face
When it left me without a chance

Oh but these nights
They don't retreat
The don't
Retreat

There's broken dishes
And broken hearts
They litter this home
Like works of art
There's empty wine glasses
And empty conversations
They litter this house
Like works of art

Oh but these nights
They don't retreat
Oh, no they don't
Retreat
They stay so long

After the war is over
The war is over
After the war is over
The war is over

The war is over
After the war is over
The war is over
Don't retreat