(John Fischer)

The paint is old and peeling

The shutters show some cracks

There's a heavy limb on the apple tree

That's got to be cut back

There's some water in the cellar

A little sagging in the floor

But this house has weathered many storms

It will weather many more



'Cause I scraped away the peeling paint

And found the wood was good and strong

And I found a firm foundation

Had been there all along

There's nothing here that a little work

And time can't heal

'Cause everything underneath is real



Nerves are frayed and ragged

Patience is wearing thin

Words were said in fits of rage

That never should have been

We bruised each other badly

Lost respect along the way

But there's too much here worth saving

To throw it all away



Can't we lay aside our fear and pride

And find the good within

All that we have shared before

Can be restored again

There's nothing here that a little work

And time can't heal

'Cause everything underneath is real