So Long (This Time So Long)

I’ll leave the light on outside
so you can find your way when you come home tonight
I don’t know where you’ve been,
but I ain’t asking, I know I don’t have the right

Besides, it’s just another passing evening
You’re passing by those bright lights
searching for one to believe in
If you don’t find it here
I guess you finally will be leaving
Like you wanted to so many times before
Guess I’ll lie awake until I know for sure.

If you get home before morning
lock the door and turn the light out in the hall
Use the phone out in the kitchen
if there’s someone out there that you need to call

It’s not like this don’t happen every evening
We’re past the point of all of that,
ain’t no one been deceived here
If you don’t come home soon,
I guess you’ll call and say you’re leaving
Like I thought you would a thousand times ago
Guess I’ll lie awake until I finally know.

This time of night
gets longer every minute
When I look across the bed
and I can see you’re still not in it
I hope that nothing’s wrong …
it’s just it’s been so long, this time
so long this time
guess it’s so long, this time
so long

I’ll leave some supper on the stove
so you’ll have something waiting later on
And the sheets out on the couch
so you’ll not have to wake up to the sound of my alarm

It’s just another early morning evening
You’re tired of telling lies that I’ve grown tired of believing
The only question now is if you’ll come in while I’m leaving
Or if you’re out somewhere deciding that you’ll stay
Guess I’ll lie awake and wonder either way.

This time of night
gets longer every minute
I keep praying that the doorframe soon
will have your shadow in it
I know my faith is strong …
but it’s just been so long, this time
so long this time
guess it’s so long, this time
so long

1991