From the recording Wild Places

Lyrics

He must be so disheartened
With all that he’s been through
To stay these final moments
It’s all that we can do

Your dedication is inexhaustible
I wanna thank you
For staying up this late
But tonight the people have spoken
I made the call and congratulated him
He really earned it
He ran a tough campaign
I don’t resent his maneuvers
He did what must be done
And I can’t stay angry at someone
I’ve thought of like a son

After all this, it takes a lot of courage to stand by my side
You stayed the course when scores of other people would run off and hide
You held to what was right

I was the veteran, the seasoned candidate
I had the virtue
Of past experience
But youth was all that they wanted
Though younger people bring new vitality
New perspectives
Drive and confidence
The political landscape is dotted
By those who lost their way
I’ve seen the most ambitious
Too often led astray

After all this, it takes a lot of courage to stand by my side
You stayed the course when scores of other people would run off and hide
You held to what was right

In the midst of the hushed conversations
I maintained my will
Confronted with false allegations
Through it all
You had the sense that would let you see right through
The things you knew that in no way could be true
But the public was taken in
By tales of lust and sin

After all this, it takes a lot of courage to stand by my side
You stayed the course when swarms of other people would run off and hide

One last announcement and then it’s off to sleep
Tonight’s election
Will truly be my last
It’s time to put things behind me
It’s up to you all to keep the dream alive
Keep pushing forward
And don’t dwell on what’s passed
My voice, it might have been silenced
But I don’t see cause for gloom
The future hope of the party
Is here within this room

After all this, I’ve made the tough decision to stand to one side
Clearing the way for one of you to rise up to serve as our guide
Lead the brigade
Turn back the tide
And finally set things right