The Long Way Home

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
You brought a paper map to my little café,
Folded at the corners from the miles of yesterday.
I drew a route in pencil, you laughed and took my hand,
Now every wrong turn feels like part of the plan.

[Pre-Chorus]
The waiter knows our order,
The band knows where to start,
You tap your spoon in time,
And I lose track of my heart.

[Chorus]
Take the long way home with me,
Past the harbor, past the old marquee.
If the road gets rough, let the tires roll,
You’ve got the compass, I’ve got the soul.
Take the long way home tonight,
Two silhouettes in a dashboard light.
No need to hurry where we’re going,
Stay beside me while the town keeps slowing.

[Verse 2]
Your red scarf caught the breeze beside the ticket stand,
You bought two seats for a train that never ran.
We spent the fare on coffee and a slice of cherry pie,
Then watched the sleeping station while the evening wandered by.

[Pre-Chorus]
The clock forgot its duty,
The town forgot our names,
You smiled across the table,
And nothing stayed the same.

[Chorus]
Take the long way home with me,
Past the harbor, past the old marquee.
If the road gets rough, let the tires roll,
You’ve got the compass, I’ve got the soul.
Take the long way home tonight,
Two silhouettes in a dashboard light.
No need to hurry where we’re going,
Stay beside me while the town keeps slowing.

[Instrumental Break]

[Saxophone Solo]

[Bridge]
Maybe morning finds us
Where the river meets the bay,
With your hand inside my jacket
And the map thrown far away.
I don’t need a destination,
I don’t need a sign,
Just keep that easy smile of yours
Turning toward mine.

[Final Chorus]
Take the long way home with me,
Past the harbor, past the old marquee.
Let the whole world rush; we’ll take it slow,
There’s nowhere better that we need to go.
Take the long way home tonight,
Let the brass rise up and catch the light.
No need to hurry where we’re going,
Stay beside me while the town keeps slowing.

[Outro]
Stay beside me while the town keeps slowing,
Take the long way home.