Sparks
Max Stalling Lyrics

Well, there he sits huddled by his fire
An old cowboy sits by the fire, perhaps feeling lonely or introspective.

Dreaming his dreams that he's dreamed before
The cowboy is spending his time dreaming his old dreams.

Just watching those sparks drifting up to heaven
He watches the sparks that fly upward from the flames.

And watching his hopes drift away like smoke
His hopes and dreams are fading like smoke.

Just look at those sparks drifting up to heaven
He is mesmerized by the sparks that fly upward from the fire.

Seeking a place among the stars
The sparks seem to be aspiring to reach the stars.

Do you think sparks dream of being stars
The cowboy wonders if the sparks have dreams of their own.

And if they do, do they know they're fools
He questions if the sparks know that their dreams may not be possible or realistic.

He drifted to town some years ago with the first fall snow
The cowboy came to town many years ago in the winter season.

He spoke of the circuit and all the bulls that he'd rode
He told stories of his rodeo adventures and the bulls he had ridden.

But the bulls had outdone him and all he'd wound up with
Despite his efforts, the cowboy was not successful in his rodeo career.

Were broke bones and handfuls of dirt
As a result, he suffered injuries and only had memories or souvenirs of his time as a rodeo cowboy.

And if you'd had his dreams you'd know how that must have hurt
It is suggested that you would understand his disappointment and pain if you had shared his dreams.

So just let him be a broke down old cowboy
The cowboy should be left alone, despite his struggles and aging appearance.

Just let him dream his worn out old dreams
He should be allowed to hold onto his old dreams and reminiscences.

He's tall in his tales where he was quicker than most
In his stories, he portrays himself as a skilled and successful cowboy.

And if you had know him then you'd know he's not one to boast
It is suggested that the cowboy was modest and didn't brag in real life.

Just look how he walks when he sees a lady
He carries himself differently in the presence of a woman.

Straightens right up, tips a hat to those near
He stands tall and tips his hat to people around him.

And look at the kids. ten steps behind him
Children follow him from a distance, perhaps fascinated by the cowboy's stories and persona.

Whispering things they think he can't hear
Kids whisper to each other, not realizing that the cowboy can hear them.

But if you could see his eyes you'd know he damned well hears
The cowboy is aware of what the kids are saying, despite their attempts to be secretive.

We've all have our dreams that we carry around
Everyone has their own dreams that they hold onto.

Some dreams go with us right into the ground
Some dreams may never be fulfilled and pass away with the person.

Sparks turns to ashes; cowboys meet their matches
Just as sparks eventually become ash, cowboys also face their end.

And the quickest they don't always win
The most successful and quick-witted cowboys don't always triumph.

But dreaming's your first step and one steps where journeys begin
Despite potential failures, dreaming is the first step towards action and journey.

So just let us be broke down old cowboys
People should allow them to be aging and perhaps struggling in their current state.

Just let us dream our worn out old dreams
Cowboys should be allowed to hold onto their dreams and stories from the past.

We're tall in our tales where we were so damned much quicker than most
In their stories, cowboys depict themselves as skilled and successful, outdoing others.

And if you had know us then you'd know we're not the type of people who boast
People who knew the cowboys in real life would know that they were modest and did not brag.