[HEAVEN FALLING DOWN] [Verse 1] They packed the house in boxes, Put the last one in the car. I thought we’d ride together; I stayed close, beneath their arms. But they stopped beside a playground, Set me down, and said to stay: “Some kid will find and take you home.” Then they turned and drove away. [Verse 2] I curled up underneath the slide And watched the empty street. The wind blew through my little coat; I tucked in all four feet. I listened for familiar steps And watched for headlights, too. But no one came to call my name The way they used to do. [Verse 3] By morning, something soft and white Had covered all the ground. I put one paw outside, then pulled It back without a sound. I’d only known a fenced-in yard, A porch, a bowl, a door. I wondered if the world stayed cold Like this forevermore. [Verse 4] The sun climbed higher through the trees; I shivered where I lay. Then somewhere past the empty swings, A laugh came down my way. The kids brought cardboard wrapped in bags And climbed the snowy hill. They slid and tumbled, laughing loud - I couldn’t lie there still. [Chorus] I ran toward the laughter, With the snow beneath my feet. Chased a boy down to the bottom, Raced a girl I couldn’t beat. I followed every laughing voice And every trail they made. For a while, I was a puppy Who forgot to be afraid. [Verse 5] I chased until my legs gave out And flopped down in the snow. A teenage girl knelt next to me, Her voice so sweet and low. She tucked me close against her coat; I wished that I could stay. I reached up once and licked her cheek; She didn’t turn away. [Verse 6] She held me all the way back home, Then through a lighted door. They brought a towel and rubbed me dry; She sat down on the floor. With food and water close at hand, I ate till I was through. Then climbed into her lap again - The warmest place I knew. [Bridge] What if the snow that scared me Brought those children out to play? Without their laughter on the hill, Would she have come my way? I couldn’t see beyond the cold While hiding out of sight. I never dreamed that morning snow Would bring me home that night. [Final Chorus] I ran toward the laughter, And it led me here to you. Now my paws are warm and drying, And there’s room beside you, too. I thought the sky was sending cold To an empty, lonely town. Maybe all that snow was little bits Of heaven falling down. [Outro] She scratched me gently by the ear; I knew that I could stay. I fell asleep beside the girl Who hadn’t walked away.
