The Long Way to the Lake

You had a table booked for seven And a shirt you never wore again You missed the turning by the station Said, "I think it's just around the bend" We bought two sandwiches for supper From the place that sold the gasoline Found a wooden dock beside the water You were busy saying sorry to me

I was hoping you would stop apologizing I was having such a lovely time

Take the long way to the lake Leave the reservation waiting Let the sun go down before we leave I don't need a better evening Than your jacket round my shoulders And your hand reaching over to me Twenty-five years later I'd still take the long way to the lake

We learned to pack a car with children Somebody always needed something back You worked nights when I worked mornings We'd leave little notes beside the tap We missed a holiday in August Put a washing machine on the card You brought chips home from the corner We ate them sitting out in the yard

No, I wouldn't call it easy But I know who I want beside me

Take the long way to the lake Leave the reservation waiting Let the sun go down before we leave I don't need a better evening Than your jacket round my shoulders And your hand reaching over to me Twenty-five years later I'd still take the long way to the lake

I put the sandwiches in the cooler And the children know we're going out You can tell me where we're headed When you finally work it out There's your jacket on the back seat There's that look upon your face You remember, don't you, darling? You were nervous just like this

Take the long way to the lake Leave the reservation waiting Let the sun go down before we leave I don't need a better evening Than your jacket round my shoulders And your hand reaching over to me Twenty-five years later I'd still take the long way to the lake

I was having such a lovely time I'm still having such a lovely time