Where've You Been

Kathy Mattea

Claire had all but given up,

When she and Edwin fell in love.

She touched his face and shook her head,

In disbelief, she sighed and said:

"In many dreams I've held you near,

"Now, at last, you're really here.



"Where've you been?

"I've looked for you forever and a day.

"Where've you been?

"I'm just not myself when you're away."



He asked her for her hand for life,

And she became a salesman's wife.

He was home each night by eight,

But one stormy evening, he was late.

Her frightened tears fell to the floor,

Until his key turned in the door.



"Where've you been?

"I've looked for you forever and a day.

"Where've you been?

"I'm just not myself when you're away."



They'd never spent a night apart,

For sixty years, she heard him snore.

Now they're in a hospital,

In separate beds on different floors.



Claire soon lost her memory,

Forgot the names of family.

She never spoke a word again,

Then one day, they wheeled him in.

He held her hand and stroked her hair,

In a fragile voice she said:



"Where've you been?

"I've looked for you forever and a day.

"Where've you been?

"I'm just not myself when you're away."

"No, I'm just not myself when you're away."