When I was young in Oklahoma
we’d spend our summers
living in a swimming pool
and dad would lift me
up on his shoulders
while we’d stay
all aftenoon
hed tell me stories
about his childhood
and salt water
he grew up in california
but chased a girl all the way
to checkashaw
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 that rush of the waves
the breeze on his face
and the blue that never ends
and when i tired 17 i knew i had to see
so i looked him and said
take me down to california
we can lay out
in the sun
take a ride
by the ocean
count the palm trees one by one
and ill never have to wonder
what it feels like salt water
i left home
right after college
and kissed my daddy on the check
headed west
to california
but 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
till that phone call in the night
dad was on his final breath
i rushed 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 at a place
by the ocean
far away
from everyone
kneel down
at natures alter
salt water
ohhh
let the waves wash me under
salt water.