The Great Divide [Tommy Shaw]

The Great Divide

Written by Tommy Shaw, Paula Breedlove

Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw

Believing that our love was over
We climbed to the attic to fight
A few of my favorite possessions
So they wouldn't be left behind

But there in a dust covered jewel box
A bundle of old letters lie
Wrapped in that old faded ribbon
Like a message across the Great Divide

Those letters from Grandpa to Grandma
Had written with love through the years
Wrapped up like the words from a love song
As we read them together in tears

Last one said "I've always loved you,
And don't ever feel sad or cry,
'Cause if I cross over before you
I'll be waiting across the Great Divide."

Oh, love has a life of it's own
Love, love, love has a life of it's own

We knew when we finished those letters
No one will be saying goodbye
The sinners forgived up forever
When those letters crossed the great divide

Oh, love has a life of it's own
Love, love, love is a life like those letters
Across the great divide 

Interpretation

We were fighting and went to the attic to divide up our things, but we came across old letters my grandfather sent to my grandmother, and we couldn't help but read them and see the love they shared. He made it clear that when he died, he would be waiting for her in Heaven (across the Great Divide).  We quickly realized how small our argument was and forgave each other. My grandparents' love reached out across the Great Divide and healed our relationship. Love is like that.