The space shuttle pilot lies dreaming

Of adventure, come the dawn

His lover weeps, she cannot sleep

Tomorrow he'll be gone

Goodbye, my love, minus ten and counting

The launch fires flame and roar

Goodbye, my love, going into orbit

On the wings of the future you'll soar

A man confronts his destiny

Accepts what must be done

A challenge faced, he'll open space

For his unborn daughters and sons

So goodbye, my love, minus ten and counting

The launch fires flame and roar

Goodbye, my love, going into orbit

On the wings of the future you'll soar

Bound away, beyond the atmosphere

To sail infinity's skies

A man's heart sings the wonder of wings

And planetbound lovers cry

A woman understand the secret

Desires and needs of men

She knows some day he'll choose to stay

And never return from orbit again

So goodbye, my love, minus ten and counting

The launch fires flame and roar

Goodbye, my love, going into orbit

On the wings of the future you'll soar

And I'll be waiting here, missing you

Until planetbound lovers go orbiting too