The Aviator's Song

You fell out of the sky when you were 21
Your bomber took a bullet from a german gun
Did you think about your wife
Your brief and tender life
Did you pray to anyone?
How does it feel when you're falling
Can you hear sweet angels calling

Is it empty up in space
Did you touch God's holy face
Did you tremble, did you cry
Did you fall or did you fly
You fell out of your life when you were 43
You saw her and you thought she was your destiny
You wandered from the path
And we cursed your aftermath
But that's ancient history

You make it so damn hard to love you
I don't know why I even try
And all I ever wanted of you
To take me with you when you fly
You fell out of my life one last time today
I held your hand and watched you as you slipped away
You cast your pilot's eye to the endless open sky
And I sent you on your way