The Angels Are Older

now the distance leads me farther on

though the reasons i once had are gone

i keep thinking i'll find what i'm looking for

in the sand beneath the dawn

but the angels are older

they can see that the sun's setting fast

they look over my shoulder

at the vision of paradise

contained in the light of the past

and they lay down behind me

to sleep beside the road

till the morning has come

where they know they will find me

with my maps and my faith in the distance

moving farther on

--jackson browne (from "farther on")