Teacher had you write a letter, you were eight-years-old
About the man that you'd become and the positions you'd hold
But this was long before you and Jackie Geronimo met in the Prelude Park at midnight
Now when it came to bells and whistles Jackie did not lack
When she kissed on the kisser boy you kissed her back
Now you tell her that you love her and she cuts you slack when you drink with your buddies on the weekend.
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
You spend your whole life dropping nickels in the bucket, waking up at dawn
While Jackie bestolled the joys of finger licking
The clock upon the wall was tickin'
You got yourself a job cleaning hospital floors
But Jackie had a baby and she had five more
They pay you just enough to drag your ass to the store to buy bread, milk and Better Homes and Gardens
Jackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams
A cottage in the country built with real wood beams
There's a baby in the bedroom he's starting to scream she holds him though he probably won't remember
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
Sometimes dreams are all you've got to keep you going when the day gets long
And you gave up so many just to make a living
That clock upon the wall was tickin'
Now the kids were all grateful when they left the nest
And Jackie wasn't perfect but she did her best
You seized the opportunity to get you some rest but you can't sleep on the count of screaming grandkids
The golden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye
You're starting to discover it's a great big lie
They work you like a dog till you quit or you die but you cant quit 'cause Jackie needs the benefits
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
They say patience is a virtue but the doctor says she don't have long
And you stood up and tried your damn just not to listen
But that clock upon the wall was tickin'
When they told you to clear the room that's when it hit you
You watched as a caravan took your sweet heart away
The arguments and fights and money troubles seemed so worthless
As the kids throw yellow roses on her grave
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
House is quiet now everything inside seems to know she's gone
There's a picture of you both sixteen-years-old kissing
That clock upon the wall was tickin'
You always thought you'd had a chance, but it was somewhere hid
Now you come to the conclusion that you never did
(Have a chance, now)