Once, when I was young and true,
  Someone left me sad--
Broke my brittle heart in two;
  And that is very bad.

Love is for unlucky folk,
  Love is but a curse.
Once there was a heart I broke;
  And that, I think, is worse.

Let him hold me, who is tall
And bids my heart be new-
No, I don't want him at all;
For he is not a thing like you!

I am not one to pass a fancy
But more of one to slip and fall
Let them rise and smile to greet me-
Watch me how I'll never call.

I have been there, surely waiting
As the phone sits still as pain--
Here I go, without complaining
And here I do to him the same.

Let his love be thoughtful, touching
Telling me it never quits-
Then watch me, mascara running
As I dash that heart to bits!

L'Envoi:

Ruthlessly began the cycle
When that man stood by, stood by,
Pray for help to God and Michael-
And kiss your heart good-bye, good-bye.

Some day
You will front a darling little parade
And you'll be carried on careful shoulders
While your name flutters in the wind

Maybe I'll be among the crowd,
Or
(More predictably)
Waiting in the nearest bar
To read about it in the paper.

Maybe your
(Shaky, small)
wife will be there
In that elegant black dress
And she'll shed one single tear.
Not of sadness,
But of
Relief.


*"Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust."

He who basked in my little verses
Stayed to watch me fall
And now I count my little curses
Coping with it all.

Let him hurt, who gave me pain
And let him sail away
Let me leave on him a stain-
And let me have my day!

For I got words that run and shout
And he got sighs and dances
I'd like to let my anger out;
Lord, don't give me any chances!

you deserve more than the words I could give you