Lovers accustomed to tragedy
See every kiss in the window across the street
Breezes and blessings passing by, ooh-ooh

I'm in the shade of the dogwood tree
Not the one where you told your name to me
Two hungry blackbirds land nearby, ooh-ooh

If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be happy under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Could you be trusted over me?

Spoke to a mother whose baby drowned
Gave me advice, or a rumor she once heard
Heaven's a distance, not a place, ooh-ooh

Gave her an ear from the corn we grew
You were away, but she gave her thanks to you
That was a year ago, come May, ooh-ooh

If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be smothered under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Would you be crying over me?

I could hear kids in the yard next door
Cats in a rush when the calendar fell down
Wait by the shade-tree one more year, ooh-ooh

Poetry tempered with tragedy
Tempted and pulled when you cry upon my sleeve
Two flocks of blackbirds meet the air, ooh-ooh

If I could be over you when the sky starts falling
Would you be happy under me?
If I could be under you if the earth was burning
Could you be trusted over me?