The Days That We Die Lyrics & Chords By Loudon Wainwright Iii

[Loudon Wainwright, Jr.]

On the basis of the way things are with my children, I doubt that the length of the acquaintance necessarily makes it easier for loved ones to know you better, or for you to know them; the past keeps getting in the way. My children are all grown now, deep into the complications of their adult lives, but where I’m concerned, I’d bet the ghostly parent of earlier Christmases keeps popping up for them when my number is punched. The old record, complete with stored outrage and disappointment, comes up on the computer screen and a natural reserve, or caution, built up for years, takes over. And why shouldn’t it? We share a big chunk of the past, and there were awful bumps. I’ve gotten used to the fact that they have their own versions of how things were; they’re entitled, even if I recall some things differently. No, it’s not that I want to set the record straight, that could make matters worse. But change is possible, and I’d like to begin work on some sort of updated real line model for our connection, something that will reflect not so much what we all were, or think we were, but what we have become.

[Loudon Wainwright III]

You’ll never change, neither will I
We’ll stay the same ‘til the days that we die
I’ll never win, neither will you
So what in this world are we gonna do?

People hate change, they make a fuss
They stay the same, people like us
Folks wanna win, when they can choose
More important than that, folks don’t wanna loose

[Rufus Wainwright]

When did it start, how did it go wrong
Why in this world can we get along?
Each victory should be good news
But when I have to win, you’re the one that I lose

[Loudon Wainwright III]

I wanna change, I don’t know how
We need to change, though, I know that now
It’s sad but it’s true, and I have to say
That the days that we die aren’t that far away

[Rufus Wainwright]

You’ll never change, neither will I
We’ll stay the same ‘til the days that we die
I’ll never win, neither will you
So what in this world are we gonna do?