Well I turned right on First, left on White Oak
Back to my old neighborhood
I saw old Doc Randolph
He was mowing his yard
He's kept it up ??bout the best he could.
And Evelyn his wife of thirty-two years
She smiled as I drove by
And she waved from her front porch swing.
And she went back to readin? her two dollar novel
And playin? with her wedding ring.
verse 2
A few houses needed paintin?, a few gates were unhinged
But generally the place looked the same.
The driveways were full of bikes and Buick sedans
Things any good American would claim.
And all them other lovers that married for cover
They were out for the sacred nightly stroll.
They were wishing they were characters in a two dollar novel
Wishing for their weight in gold.
Interlude
verse 3
Now Mary Elizabeth, she's my high school sweetheart
She married my best high school friend
He manages the hardware store, she became a nurse
And I became a memory to them.
And all my other buddies they just got lost in outer space
And they ran off to serve their country well.
They're all fighting in a war of two dollar novels
Where only the toughest live to tell.
verse 4
So I turned right on White Oak and left on First
Out of that old neighborhood
I left Doctor and Mrs. Randolph sipping ice tea on the front porch
Wondering if I'd ever come to any good.
And on a thousand shady streets in a thousand other towns
Now people, Lord, they're doing just the same.
They're all living their lives like two dollar novels
And wondering why the world is so insane.
They're all living their lives like two dollar novels
And wondering why there's nothing left to gain.