The Clock Was Tickin'

Intro: Teacher had you write a letter, you were eight-years-old About the man that you'd become and the positions you'd hold But this was long before you and Jackie Geronimo met in the Prelude Park at midnight Now when it came to bells and whistles Jackie did not lack When she kissed on the kisser boy you kissed her back Now you tell her that you love her and she cuts you slack when you drink with your buddies on the weekend. And the weeks fly by and the years roll on You spend your whole life dropping nickels in the bucket, waking up at dawn While Jackie bestolled the joys of finger licking The clock upon the wall was tickin' You got yourself a job cleaning hospital floors But Jackie had a baby and she had five more They pay you just enough to drag your ass to the store to buy bread, milk and Better Homes and Gardens Jackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams A cottage in the country built with real wood beams There's a baby in the bedroom he's starting to scream she holds him though he probably won't remember And the weeks fly by and the years roll on Sometimes dreams are all you've got to keep you going when the day gets long And you gave up so many just to make a living That clock upon the wall was tickin' Now the kids were all grateful when they left the nest And Jackie wasn't perfect but she did her best You seized the opportunity to get you some rest but you can't sleep on the count of screaming grandkids The golden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye You're starting to discover it's a great big lie They work you like a dog till you quit or you die but you cant quit 'cause Jackie needs the benefits And the weeks fly by and the years roll on They say patience is a virtue but the doctor says she don't have long And you stood up and tried your damn just not to listen But that clock upon the wall was tickin' When they told you to clear the room that's when it hit you You watched as a caravan took your sweet heart away The arguments and fights and money troubles seemed so worthless As the kids throw yellow roses on her grave And the weeks fly by and the years roll on House is quiet now everything inside seems to know she's gone There's a picture of you both sixteen-years-old kissing That clock upon the wall... was tickin' Solo: You always thought you'd had a chance, but it was somewhere hid Now you come to the conclusion that you never did (Have a chance, now)