[Verse 1]
Through the wall
In a soft spring rustle
Street-side selling
Some summer hustle
Across the Maple Street Bridge
In a bristling fall
Just whistling all's
A balled up riddle
Just a high snowball
On a curve-and-fall
Through a parking lot
At Christmas
I heard her whisper
I heard him call
Here's what the gist was:

[Chorus 1]
Only wary in our lives
Open-eyed and half-ashamed
That is to say
Afloat on a ferry, freezing, tired
Fully wired, a total waste
That's where the spirit left us

[Verse 2]
Underneath the house
Just like a flame-out teen
Who smells like sweat
And gasoline
(Kid, I stand with you)
And when you get hard
And your eyes get mean
'Cause you're on the march
Well, I could almost kiss you
Don't let them twist you
Here, have this song
You can take it with you
[Chorus 2]
Stay lonely, open wide
Your eyes on fire, your mind aflame
Don't be disgraced
Loose of limb, unlionized
While all liars fade to gray
I know you feel detested

[Bridge]
Did a silence drop?
Did your Walkman stop?
Did the air turn cold?
Was the message just so close?
Ah, but did you choke it?
Oh, kid, I know
I know where this is going
Because we always blow it

[Chorus 3]
Only wary in our lives
Open-eyed and half-ashamed
It's just that way
Afloat down that river, freezing, tired
Fully wired, a total waste
That's where the spirit left us
[Chorus 4]
Only wary in our lives
Your eyes all fire, your mind aflame
And don't be dismayed
When this sobbing world goes screaming by
I swear that if I had my way
You know I would have blessed it