The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in '68

And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday

Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe

 

You laugh he said you think you're immune

Go look at your eyes they're full of moon

You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you

All those pretty lies pretty lies

 

When you gonna realize they're only pretty lies

 

Only pretty lies just pretty lies

 

He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer and he pushed

Three buttons and the thing began to whirr

And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie

And she said drink up now it's gettin' on time to close

 

Richard you haven't really changed I said

It's just that now you're romanticizing some pain that's in your head

You got tombs in your eyes but the songs you punched are dreaming

Listen they sing of love so sweet love so sweet

When you gonna get yourself back on your feet

Oh and love can be so sweet love so sweet

 

Richard got married to a figure skater

And he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percoator

And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on

And all the house lights left up bright

 

I'm gonna blow this damn candle out

I don't want nobody comin' over to my table

I got nothing to talk to anybody about

All good dreamers pass this way some day

Hidin' behind bottles in dark cafes dark cafes

Only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings and fly away

Only a phase these dark cafe days