Author name: Michael Forty

Verse 1
Bert left school on a Friday,
Started Monday morn.
Sixteen years…

Verse 1
Morning light came soft and gold
Through the window by the door,
You were somewhere far behind your eyes

[Verse 1]
I set four plates like I always do,
out of habit, not thinking it through —
Stopped.

Verse 1
I stood where the road just gives up and stops,
called your name into the tall grass, bending low —
Nothing.

[Verse]
I used to think I had it figured
Used to think I knew it all
Talked more than I listened

IVerse 1
The bus pulls out at half past nine,
You wave goodbye and I try not to cry,
Three months apart is a mighty long time,

[Verse]
They call him the quiet man
Always on time, always so kind
Doin' everything right

[Verse]
She walked into the room
Like the sun walked in with her
She walked into the room

[Verse]
What is to be?
What is to be?
Time keeps slippin', slippin' away from me

[Verse]
Used to dread the shortening light
Used to fight the coming night
Summer's gold would fade to grey

[Verse]
Just a boy with a piece of string
Autumn brought the best of things
Sixty-six, the leaves turned gold

[Verse]
Woke up this mornin', ashes cold in the tray
Walked past that café, same old corner booth, same
Woke up this mornin', ashes cold in the tray

Verse 1 (Lead vocal)
I heard you laughin' with him last night,
(Harmony: last night…)
Standin' in the shadows, out of the light,

Verse 1
I saw her at the diner in the pale porch light,
Jukebox playin' soft and slow that night,
She looked at me and, oh, my heart stood still,

Verse 1
Well I saw her at the diner in her polka-dot dress,
She said "hiya daddy-o" and I gotta confess,
My heart went bip-bam, rickety-boom,

Verse 1
Every night at half past seven
Rose would put the kettle on
Arthur heard the cupboard closing

Verse 1
I came here with a handful
Of words I couldn't place
A memory from somewhere

Verse 1
Baby, baby, can't you see
What your love is doing to me?
Every time you pass my way

Verse 1
I still leave your coffee cup
Sitting by my own
I still leave the hallway light

Verse 1
Every night at half past nine
I'd walk that same old street
A little light behind the blind

[Verse 1]
Suitcase waiting
Morning train
One last smile

[ Verse 1 ]
When I'm lonely
When it's late
When old memories

[ Verse 1 ]
Yesterday
Felt so long
Couldn't find

Verse 1
Fancy stories, fancy clothes
Everybody thinks they know
Truth walks slower than they say

[Verse 1]
Grey old hands
Side by side
Nothing left

[Verse 1]
[Melodic Singing]
Didn't mean to lose control
One small smile stole my soul

Verse 1
Johnny laughed
Like summer rain
Every doorway

Verse 1
There you are this morning
Walking through the crowd
I try to look away from you

Verse 1
A telephone at one-thirty
Cut through the Denver night
A hospital in Philly

Verse 1
You walked into the room
And everything stood still
I tried to hide the way I felt

Verse 1
We did everything together,
Every day, every night.
Thought we had forever,

Verse 1
I saw you park outside
Just across the road
Your headlights found my window

(Slow • Reflective • 4/4)
Verse 1
No medals on their jackets
No ribbons on display

Verse 1
I sacrificed my world for you
Why didn't you do the same?
My mind was strong and willing

Verse 1
Every morning
Half past eight
Mrs. Parker

Verse 1
Oliver Payne
Unlocks the door
To his little old studio

Verse 1
I remember walking to school,
Come the sunshine, come the rain.
Making little rules each morning,

Verse 1
Some people speak as though they know,
They never seem to doubt.
I listen more than I ever speak,

Verse 1
Walking…
To school…
Summer mornings…

Verse 1
Tiny shoes.
Tiny hands.
You held my finger.

Verse 1
My mother Betty had a knife,
With a handle made of bone.
She’d reach for it to start each meal,

Verse One
School bell fading on the breeze
Satchels dropped beneath the trees
Buttons loose and untied lace

Verse 1
The night's grown old around us
The fire's burning low
There's rain upon the window

Verse 1
I held you in my arms that day
Your tiny hand held mine
Your mother smiled through happy tears

3:17 A.M.
Verse 1
The wind is moving softly
Past the houses down the lane