By the Time I Get To... (Julia Ecklar) Lyrics

In the crystaline void of orbit's brink -- I was there!
I know not where they'll land me now. It could be anywhere.
When reentry fires have faded, the brightness leaves my sight,
And I find I'm stacked on an aircraft's back.
Riding home's gonna take all night.

And my engine's in the ocean. My payload's on a train.
And I'm a frequent flier when the Cape's expecting rain.
Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.
Now I'm stacked up on an aircraft's back.
This last part takes a while.
There's nothing left for me to do but -- hold on tight!
So self-assured in orbit. Now I find I'm scared of heights!
And I get kind of airsick, 'cause air is not my style.
My knees will shake and my belly ache,
Trying hard just o hold down tiles.

And my engine's in the ocean. My payload's on a train.
And I'm a frequent flier when the Cape's expecting rain.
Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.
Now I'm stacked up on an aircraft's back.
This last part takes a while.

Before each quarter's launch, they hope that I'm all there.
To half the Roman pantheon they sing a secret prayer.
Am I lock and stock and barrel of the dream I helped to start?
Is it really true, that I slept through the most exciting part?

And my engine's in the ocean. My payload's on a train.
And I'm a frequent flier when the Cape's expecting rain.
Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.
Now I'm stacked up on an aircraft's back.
This last part takes a while.