Paul Kelly
The Night Was Dark and Deep
We were driving back from
The country one night
Mom and Dad up the front
The rest of us snug and tight
My kid brother grumbled for a little minute
My big sister said he better quit it or die
It had been a long day in the countryside
Playing with the cousins on my mother's side
The sound of the radio closed our eyes
Drifting across the sea, then I fell asleep
Well I don't know what woke me up
Maybe a country song or a big truck passing by
But I could hear Mama and Papa talk
Papa said something and Mama began to cry
No more words then just soft sobs
And my head began to throb
I just lay there playing dog
Breathing slow and deep
They thought I was asleep
They thought I was asleep
It seemed like forever till the sobbing stopped
Then they talked for a little
But just too soft to hear
Daddy kept looking to the side of her face
One hand on the wheel
The other one stroking her hair
Headlights shining from the other way
Showed tears on the cheeks of Daddy's face
I prayed for Jesus to send His grace
And all our souls to keep
Back then I believed
They thought I was asleep
The night was dark and deep
I wish I was asleep
How I wish I was asleep