Driving with you back from Pendleton
Late September, when death was all around us
Crackling oak leaves on a path of silver
Sunlight painting the wide blue river

Ooh, I was glad to be alive
Ooh, I was glad to be alive

I nudged a long pine needle with my boot
Watched the pink and rust-colored boxcars move
Heard a voice from the sepulcher of Victor Trevitt
Life is the exception, don't you forget it

Ooh, I was glad to be alive
Ooh, I was glad to be alive

Back on the road, 'neath the dark sparrows
Like the debut novel you were traveling to expose
Something new in me, bright and wonderful, was born
Life the tiger-ocean eyes of the kids we left at home
The tiger-ocean eyes

Ooh, I was glad to be alive
Ooh, I was glad to be alive
Ooh, I was glad to be alive
Ooh, I was glad to be alive