THE BETTER MAN
    lyrics and music copyright (C) 1990 by Ernest B. Clark

    <<draft 1:  10/11/90 >>
    <<draft 2:  12/02/92 >>

Every night, when just a little boy, Johnnie asked the tale,
"Tell me, Daddy just what it was like all across the Milky Way!"
And I would tell of the wonder of floating in orbit,
Looking down from beyond its sky
On a world never walked before,
We the first to try. 
 

Years later as his own world grew, Johnnie asked for more.
"Tell me, Dad, what made you quit? Why did you stay?"
And I would tell of the horrors, the poisons and perils,
Friends who stumbled upon new ways to die,
And when I couldn't measure up anymore,
Emptied of the will to try.


He has grown now, my Johnnie, my son. He said to me today:
"I've a berth on the 'Star of the West';  wish me well on the way."
And I said not a word about my hopes and my fears, seeing
Dreams surrendered with my youth in his eyes,
Seeing now I have raised a better man,
No illusions, and still he tries....