After The Thunder (Springsteen Bruce)

An echo fades of sounds once heard By thousands brought together for His ringing voice, a soul that stirred The faithful to a mighty roar. For twenty years upon the stage For twenty years upon the stage The passion deep within his soul Brought forth the anger and the rage His vision locked upon one goal. The promises of rock and roll could Break the chains upon his life, Guitar in hand he vowed he would Be free from pain and inner strife. He shook the rafters in the halls And brought the faithful to their feet, His river coursed through mighty walls Across this land, down every street. With flag unfurled he took the word Across the seas to hungry youth Who raised their hands when e'er they heard His cries for faith, and hope, and truth. Today he stands with inner peace A man content with home and health, Upon his brow a jagged crease A symbol of success and wealth. The thunder of his younger days Has passed, and now his words reveal A calmer soul in many ways Fulfilled with satisfactions real. His arms upraised against the light He stands alone, his eyes look toward The ground below, a bird in flight Still searching for his true reward. His mission done, he finds retreat With children and a loving wife, His body tired from the heat The price he pays for touring life. But deep within the longings stir The music runs within him still, His passions for the times that were Are stronger than his iron will. And all of us who know the man Will come together when he cries The message we all understand The thunder in us never dies.