Verse 1 — Arrival December brought me through your gate, With weary hands and work to wait. Behind me lay the roads I’d known, The many places I’d called home. But here my sons had made their way, And here I chose, at last, to stay. Chorus Ar’s Station, I remember you, The ink upon my sleeves of blue, The voices gathering at my door, The life I came there searching for. Though other roads would call me on, I carry you where I have gone. Verse 2 — My Sons Asher and Tyrian, building there, And Magnus with his trade to share. How sweet to find, beyond the stone, A place where I was not alone. With Asher, Caroline, and tea, The docks held simple joys for me. Chorus Ar’s Station, I remember you, The ink upon my sleeves of blue, The voices gathering at my door, The life I came there searching for. Though other roads would call me on, I carry you where I have gone. Verse 3 — The Governor’s Scribe I set my papers straight each day, And took the Governor’s words away To give them order, ink, and seal, To keep a faithful, clear account. The years I’d spent upon the bench Went with me to that quieter desk. Verse 4 — The Academy A warehouse room became much more, With lessons waiting through its door. The shelves held words from far and wide; We drew our seats into a circle. I rang the bell and watched them come, And found such gladness in that room. Chorus Ar’s Station, I remember you, The ink upon my sleeves of blue, The voices gathering at my door, The life I came there searching for. Though other roads would call me on, I carry you where I have gone. Verse 5 — The Returning Stone Along the road, beneath its guard, The wagon made those final yards. The waiting ended; word went round: What had been lost was homeward bound. We gathered for its honored place, And hope was there on many a face. Verse 6 — My Oath With Shania and River near, I spoke the words for all to hear. I laid my former pledge aside, And stood with Asher at my side. Before the Stone, my promise made, I felt his arms around me laid. Verse 7 — Welcome Home “Welcome home, Mother,” said my son; For one still moment, wandering done. I touched the soil, the water too, And held the meaning of it true. Of all the words beneath that dome, The ones I treasured most were “home.” Chorus Ar’s Station, I remember you, The ink upon my sleeves of blue, The voices gathering at my door, The life I came there searching for. Though other roads would call me on, I carry you where I have gone. Verse 8 — What Remains The school would move, its doors would close; Our lives turn ways that no one knows. Yet every question spoken there Still holds a place within my care. And every page I helped preserve Reminds me what it meant to serve. Final Chorus Ar’s Station, I remember you, My family near, my purpose new. The teacher’s bell, the waiting quill, The oath whose words I carry still. Though I have traveled far since then, In song, I walk your streets again. Outro — Softly A cup of tea. A page turned slow. “Welcome home, Mother.” Long ago. I remember you still.
