The unknown familiar

I knew of you, but I never knew you,
At least the view that others may.
I listened to you and turned away
As if it was what I was made to do.

Times had changed by the time of me
Things that used to be had faded.
I hoped for more that wasn't to be
As my heart turned cold and jaded.

I knew of you, but I never knew you,
At least the view that others may.

A broken dream of a life ahead
Was all that was left of your world.
The possible end but on instead
A new path with the old past held.

I listened to you and turned away
As if it was what I was made to do.

A model of what a man could sum
against the odds and favor
A life spanned from sun to sun
A thousand lives the saviour.

I knew of you, but I never knew you,
At least the view that others may.

Should I have seen from down so low
How high you stood amongst the best
Could I have known the seed was sown
Before your head laid down to rest

I listened to you and turned away
As if it was what I was made to do.

I know now that I didn't understand
And I know it because I am the same
I know now I always had your hand
And you weren't the one to blame.

I know you now, like I didn't then,
From myself that time has blown.
I now hear your voice within my own
An echo of a time come again.