Salt Water

When I was young, in Oklahoma
I’d spend the summers living in a swimming pool
And Dad would lift me up on his shoulders
And while away the afternoon
He’d tell me stories about his childhood in salt water
He grew up in California
But chased a girl all the way to Chickasha
Fell in love and made a promise
Had it all but never forgot
They built a home and had a daughter
But he still missed that salt water
He missed the rush of the waves, the breeze on his face
And the blue that never ends
And when I turned seventeen, I knew I had to see
So I looked at him and said
Take me down to California
We can lay out in the sun
We’ll take a ride by the ocean
And count the palm trees one by one
And I’ll never have to wonder what it feels like
Salt water
I left home right after college
And kissed my Daddy on the cheek
Headed west to California
Wrote him letters every week
Fell in love and had a daughter
She grew up swimming in salt water
Oh the years flew right by
'Til that phone call in the night
Dad was on his final breath
I rushed home to his side, tears falling from my eyes
But he smiled at me and said
Take me down to California
Lay me out in the sun
Find a place by the ocean
Far away from everyone
Kneel down at nature’s altar
Salt water, ooh
Let the waves wash me under
Salt water