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