Today I strike out on my own
The dog is dead, the kids have grown
I fell asleep in my writing chair
I dreamt, I'd found my childhood stare

To family dinner Christmas night
We'd cross the river shipyard lights
Before the heartbreak and unknown
Today I strike out on my own

Hi-diddely-o, didn't ya know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time

Diddely-o, didn't you know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time

The families gather but we're all
Mere shadows in this Banquet Hall
I'm beggin' mom, will you understand
I'm beggin' dad, will you hold her hand
To play outside was all I'd known
And Christmas lights on every home

Hi-diddely-o, didn't ya know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time

Diddely-o, didn't you know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time

We find the people of our dreams
We find that they're not what they seem
I've learned that people come and go
I've learned that families break and grow

Toy soldiers brave away those tears
Toy soldiers hope for better years
Today I strike out on my own
The dog is dead, we kids have grown

Hi-diddely-o, didn't ya know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time

Diddely-o, didn't you know?
You fade once you glow
Didn't ya know, child?
After the rhyme, high time
After the rhyme, high time
After the rhyme, high time