Charley stands on the block In a shoe and one grey sock I try to care But that never gets you anywhere So I sit in this booth Drinking slow, divining truth And the long, long way to go To the everlasting no
From her fire escape seat Miranda guards the street While on her bed, A newborn baby lays its head It's a boy it's a girl It's one more chump against the world With a long, long way to go All for that everlasting no
I had breakfast with my father In a downtown luncheonette And we sat and eyed each other With suspicion and regret Then I walked down to the river Where the boats would pitch and woo And the river said "Forgive her” I could swear it said "Forgive her” But it wouldn't tell me who
Had no fear, had no doubt Had this racket all scammed out A real hard case Then I chanced to look upon your face It's a gift, it's a curse Either way, it 's getting worse But so hard to let it go To your everlasting no