I don’t care that we’ve been many years and a world apart
And I don’t care that he mended the wounds of your broken heart
And I don’t mind if you threw all the letters I wrote away
And I don’t care that you discounted all of our yesterdays

It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time

And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And you are here

Though the stars we all quoted felt otherwise
And I don’t care, no, about constellations or alibis
And I don’t mind if you’re not who you said you were anymore
And I don’t care that you burned every bridge behind every door

It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time

And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And you are here

I don’t care that this destiny tugs at my sheet again
And I don’t care the wind said we never would meet again
And I don’t mind if the road that we travel’s a rocky one
And I don’t care that I once thought another the lucky one

It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time
It’s a lonely time

And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And I don’t care, ‘cause that was then and this is now
And you are here

So they say,
There's a price for ecstasy
Through the cheers, ever patient,
Anguish leers

Oh my, my
Only fools get by
Only angels get their wings

For each dance,
Every whisper, every glance
O'er the years, coffers overflow
With tears

Oh my, my
Only fools get by
Only angels get their wings

So take care
Not to leave your pockets bare
From this glee wells a spring
Of misery

Come on, Ilene
You know we've known each other for so long
We can't pretend there's nothing going on

It's like a dream
You know me well enough to know much better
There's something going on between the letters
L-O-V-E U

You're very Nebraska
But I don't know exactly what that means
You're very Nebraska
An angel of the coal and steam
You're very Nebraska
You tell the story and I'll set the scene
You're very Nebraska
You're my American dream

The pure delight
I take in stealing, like a newborn thief,
The captive moment and its sweet release

That summer night,
Amid acknowledgements of this and that,
On the veranda in your summer hat,
I saw you glance at me

You're very Nebraska
But I don't know exactly what that means
You're very Nebraska
An angel of the coal and steam
You're very Nebraska
You tell the story and I'll set the scene
You're very Nebraska
You're my American dream

The past is past
That's necessarily the way it travels
You count your quarters as your life unravels
Like a cheap cigar

When you’re not laughing, you’re digging up the dirt
And kneading passion into a just dessert
Why don’t you just let me in your room?

You take my picture and put it o’er the hearth
Then curse my mother for ever giving birth
Why don’t you just let me in your room?

Our path is paved with gold, but you’re turning
You’re taking the long way home
And standing in the cold while I’m burning
To call you my very own

It comes as no surprise
The twinkle in your eyes
Is setting like the sun

When you’re laughing, you’re stirring up the past
As every action reacts against the last
Why don’t you just let me in your room?

Our path is paved with gold, but you’re turning
You’re taking the long way home
And standing in the cold while I’m burning
To call you my very own

It comes as no surprise
The twinkle in your eyes
Is setting like the sun

When you’re not laughing, you’re digging up the dirt
And kneading passion into a just dessert
Why don’t you just let me in your room?

Back of the bar, sweet as a birthday surprise
You came along, turning my water to wine
And just when I thought that I had not one thing to lose
That’s all right, baby; I’ve still got the sand in my shoes

Yes, yes
It goes ‘round, ‘round, ‘round
That much I know
And I guess
Maybe I’ll see you down there someday in New York

Quick as a pinch, slow as a long Sunday drive
Soft as a dove, harder than nails into pine
And resting assured I’d long since put this dream to bed
You stood determined, rustling the leaves in my head

Yes, yes
It goes ‘round, ‘round, ‘round
That much I know
And I guess
Maybe I’ll see you down there someday in New York

Try as I might, I can’t help but stray from my tomb
To watch the horizon saunter away with the moon
And, wistful as wind, I sit and I salute your sails
And smile as the ocean takes every trace of your trail

Yes, yes
It goes ‘round, ‘round, ‘round
That much I know
And I guess
Maybe I’ll see you down there someday in New York

I lost my true love to the seaside
To the seaside I lost my true love
I lost my true love to the sunset
To the sunset I lost my true love

When it's cold and silently I moan
I suspect you're dancing down in Rome
I'd detect indifference and a touch of revenge
- maybe gall
If you ever called

I lost my true love to the white sands
To the white sands I lost my true love
I lost my true love to the blue skies
To the blue skies I lost my true love

When it's cold and silently I moan
I suspect you're dancing down in Rome
I'd detect indifference and a touch of revenge
- maybe gall
If you ever called

I lost my true love to a dead man
To a dead man I lost my true love
I lost my true love to Firenze
To Firenze I lost my true love

You've got the motion
Your hands are tied
You're crawling 'cross the floor

Of every ocean,
You raise the tide
You're calling out for more

And Oh!
Your promise delivered, you go
But wait just a moment more
You're racing the Devil
I'll do what I can
I'll be your man

And through the heartaches
You keep your pace,
A flicker in the crowd

If just for my sake
Do leave a trace,
A petal on the bough

And Oh!
Your promise delivered, you go
But wait just a moment more
You're racing the Devil
I'll do what I can
I'll be your man

Intentions spoken,
Intentions cried
Like whirligigs on air,

Inventions broken,
Inventions spied
If only you would dare

I lost my true love to the seaside
To the seaside I lost my true love
I lost my true love to the sunset
To the sunset I lost my true love

When it's cold and silently I moan
I suspect you're dancing down in Rome
I'd detect indifference and a touch of revenge
- maybe gall
If you ever called

I lost my true love to the white sands
To the white sands I lost my true love
I lost my true love to the blue skies
To the blue skies I lost my true love

When it's cold and silently I moan
I suspect you're dancing down in Rome
I'd detect indifference and a touch of revenge
- maybe gall
If you ever called

I lost my true love to a dead man
To a dead man I lost my true love
I lost my true love to Firenze
To Firenze I lost my true love

Come on, Ilene
You know we've known each other for so long
We can't pretend there's nothing going on

It's like a dream
You know me well enough to know much better
There's something going on between the letters
L-O-V-E U

You're very Nebraska
But I don't know exactly what that means
You're very Nebraska
An angel of the coal and steam
You're very Nebraska
You tell the story and I'll set the scene
You're very Nebraska
You're my American dream

The pure delight
I take in stealing, like a newborn thief,
The captive moment and its sweet release

That summer night,
Amid acknowledgements of this and that,
On the veranda in your summer hat,
I saw you glance at me

You're very Nebraska
But I don't know exactly what that means
You're very Nebraska
An angel of the coal and steam
You're very Nebraska
You tell the story and I'll set the scene
You're very Nebraska
You're my American dream

The past is past
That's necessarily the way it travels
You count your quarters as your life unravels
Like a cheap cigar

Honey-tongued, dark memories
Candle-lit, soft sentries
Now that's all I have
Of you

Moonlight through red draperies
Warm whispers for entry
And the silhouette
Of You

Cool breeze on your body
Upon damp, untucked sheets
Holds the lovely shape
Of You