The fading scent of summertime
  Arbutus trees and firs
  The glistening of rain-soaked moss
  Going to the dairy queen at dusk
  Down narrow roads
  In autumn light
  
  The salt air and the sawmills
  And the bars are full of songs and tears
  To the passing of the tugboats
  And people with their big ideas
  
  I just get home and then I leave again
  It's long ago and far away
  Now we're skimming stones and
  Exchanging rings
  And scattering and sailing from departure bay
  
  The house was bare of Christmas lights
  It came down hard that year
  Outside in our overcoats
  Drinking down to the bitter end
  Trying to make things right
  Like my mother did
  
  Last year we were laughing
  We sang in church so beautifully
  Now her perfume's on the bathroom counter
  And I'm sitting in the back pew crying
  
  I just get home and then I leave again
  It's long ago and far away
  Now we're skimming stones and
  Exchanging rings
  And scattering and sailing from departure bay
  
  A song plays on the gramophone
  And thoughts turn back to life
  We took the long way to get back
  Like driving over the malahat
  Now a seaplane drones and time has flown
  
  I won't miss all the glamour
  While my heart is beating and the lilacs bloom
  But who knew when I started
  That Id find a love and bring him home
  
  Just get me there and one we will stay
  A long time off and far away
  Now we're skimming stones and
  Exchanging rings
  We're scattering and diving in departure bay