I ran across a real gem of an album recently: “Sign of the Times” by Queensryche. It’s a “best of” compilation. I’ve been listening to it, reminiscing … I had forgotten how much I loved this group. Many of their songs carry special meaning to me for various reasons, but one song in particular struck me very deep and listening to it again just now, its message resonates very loudly in my mind — and I’m trying like all Hell to ignore it.

Bridge (Chris DeGarmo)

You called me up on the phone today
Struggling with the right words to say
Time can change a thing or two
Time has changed the lives of me and you
But you know… it could have been different, dad

The word brings back a sweet memory
I’m sitting on a bluff on a broken tree
By my side a distinguished man
Giving me encouragement, telling me I can
And you know… you’re not there

You say, “Son, let’s forget the past,
I want another chance, gonna make it last.”
You’re begging me for a brand new start
Trying to mend a bridge that’s been blown apart
But you know… you never built it, dad

And so I sit here through the night
And I write myself to sleep
And time keeps ticking…

Time has made you finally realize
Your loneliness and your guilt inside
You’re reaching for something you never had
Turning around now you’re looking back
And you know… I’m not there

You say, “Son, let’s forget the past,
I want another chance, gonna make it last.”
You’re begging me for a brand new start
Trying to mend a bridge that’s been blown apart
But you know… you never built it, dad

You never built it, dad
You never built it, dad
You never built it, dad
You never built it, dad