[Verse 1]
Well, wether there was a murder I don't know I wasn't there
I was busy visiting a friend in jail
There were just two women on the scene at the time
Neither one of 'em saw a thing
Both of 'em were wearing veils
They said it was a natural situation
He reached too high and tumbled back to the ground
You know what they say about being nice to people on your way up
You might meet 'em again on your way back down

[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back

[Verse 2]
He had a brother named Paul
Hang out at the cafe royal
Where Miss Dolly plays and the reviews have been mixed
Well, he's pretty to look at
Looking for someone to throw the book at
But you know that he drinks and drinks can be fixed
Sing me one more song about your summer romance
I know you don't know motherless children
Sing me the one about you and Errol Flynn
In these times of compassion
Where conformity's a fashion
Say one more stupid thing to me
Before the final nail is driven in
[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back

[Verse 3]
Dr. Silver Spoon from the empress ballroom
He's a retired businessman
Who feeds off everyone he's touched
He gives money to the church and foundations for research
He's not someone you can play around with to much
But then there's Rosetta Blake
Who's been to both sides of the lake
She's rough to look at
But she's righteously fit
She'll feed you coconut bread and spiced buns in bed
You won't have to worry about sleeping face down with your head in the plate

[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back

[Verse 4]
You'll arrange to see your man tonight
Who tells you some secret things you think might open some doors
How to enter the gates of paradise
No not really
More like how to go crazy from carrying a burden that's never meant to be yours
From the stage they'll be doing the bumps and the grinds
A whore will pass the hat, collect a hundred grand and say thanks
They like to take all this money from sin, and build big universities to study in
And sing amazing grace all the way to the Swiss bank
[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back

[Verse 5]
They got some serious people out there man
They can ring your bell and show you how to hold your tongue
They don't come to party man
They kill babies in the crib and say only the good die young
They don't believe in mercy and judgment on them is something you'll never see
They can put your face on a postage stamp
Turn your home into a armed camp
Anyway they want you
That's the way you'll be

[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back

[Verse 6]
Yes I loved him too
I still see him in my mind climbing up that hill
Or was it a wall
I don't recall
It don't matter at all honey
And it never will
Ain't nothin' left here partner
Just the dust of fools that have left their mark in spades
From now on this will be where you're from
Let the dead bury the dead
Your time will come
Feel that hot iron glowing now as your raise the shades
[Refrain]
But its too late to bring him back
Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, to bring him back