Standard (EADGBE)

So, so long ago

And so far away

When time was just a line

That you fed me

When you wanted to stay

We'd talk as soft as chalk

Till morning came, as pale as a pearl

No time, no, no time

Now, I have got all the time in the world

Say, honey, did you belong to me

Tell me, honey, was your heart at rest when, darling

All the mourning doves were howling us

A song of love's oh god-awful lawlessness, law-less-ness!

Say, honey, did you belong to me

Tell me, honey, did I pass your test

I lay, as still as death, until the dawn

Whereupon I wrested from your god-awful lawlessness,

Law-less-ness!

I roam around the tidy grounds

Of my dappled sanatorium

Coatless, I sit amongst the moles, adrift

And I dote upon my pinesap gum

And the light, through the pines in brassy tines

Lays over me, dim as rum

And thick as molasses, and so time passes

And so, my heart, tomorrow comes

I feel you, leaning

Out back with the crickets

Loyal heart marking the soon-ness darkness

Tonight, still the mourning doves

Will summon us their song

Of love's neverdoneing lawlessness, law-less-ness!

While, over and over

Rear up, stand down, lay round

Trying to sound-out or guess the reasons

To sleep like a soldier, without rest

But there is no treason

Where there is only lawlessness, law-less-ness!

Middle section

faster

In the last week

Of the last year I was aware

I took a blind shot, across the creek

At the black bear

When he roused me in the night

And left me cowering with my light

Calling out

Who is there

Who's there

Who is there

I watched you sleep

Repeating my prayer

Give love a little shove

And it becomes terror

And now I am calling

In a sadness beyond anger

And beyond fear

Who is there

Who's there

Who is there

I glare and nod

Like the character, God

Bearing down upon the houses and lawns

I knew a little bit,

But, darling, you were it

And, darling, now it is long gone

Sweetheart, in your clean, bright start

Back there, behind a hill, and a dell

And a state line or two, I'll be thinking of you

Yes, I’ll be thinking and be wishing you well

We land, I stand, but I wait for the sound of the bell

I have to catch a cab and my bags are at the carousel

And then Lord, just then, time alone will only tell

You morning dove