Greg Brown
End of the Party
Well it's getting so late, I mentioned it to Rose
But I hate to get out of my wedding clothes
I never got married and I never will
But I like to go to them and drink my fill
Hear the bride's uncle's stories and uncle Bob's jokes
And sit on the lawn with champagne and smokes
I went to London to visit the grave
Of an old poet who was crazy and brave
Big Ben was tolling, the sky was so grey
I went to Paris to just get away
From all my ancestors and all of their bile
I liked it in Paris, I stayed thеre a while
Well I rеad the Bible because I like the sound
Of that kind of prose no longer around
Its all bits and bytes now and little it's wise
Most people don't talk, they just advertise
The preacher said that it is all vanity
Do you love yourself babe, when you're loving me
I once had a sweetheart but now I have none
Love is a house that is never quite done
People get restless and they think they should move
But there's nowhere to go and there's nothing to prove
So hold my hand on that old carousel
Up into heaven and back down to hell
I filled up my belly with bread and wine
I sit in the backyard and watch the clouds shine
You are still flirting, that's alright with me
But I ain't got nothing I can give you for free
But grumbling and mumbling and my old briefcase
Hold still while I paint a big smile on your face
Foul rivers flow to the dirty old sea
If there's no room for you, then there's no room for me
Oh, the tulips are blooming all yellow and red
I need to grow some new thoughts in my head
I never did know what it all is about
But when I go fishing it ain't for the trout
You just get more lovely the older you get
Your eyes may be dry but your mouth is still wet
I was a fool for you, a fool to you too
I'll always love you, you know that that's true
When it comes to loving, I am all fuzz
If you don't want my peaches then how about my plums
Well it's been a great party and I hate to go
But the moon says goodbye and the sun says hello
I'd like an old Buick and one more guitar
An old slot-head Washburn I saw from afar
Well goodbye Matilda, I'm saying goodbye to Jim
I've been wondering whatever happened to him