"He's a quiet man," that's all she said,
And a thoughtful man,
it's just like he likes to keep his thoughts up in his head.
And we finally meet, and she tries to draw him out a bit,
She says, "He's writing something,
hey now, why don't you talk about it?"
And he doesn't make a sound,
He's just staring at his coffee,
And I know there's all this beauty
and this greatness she'll defend,
But I think it's in my friend.

I have a friend in a bright and distant town,
She's found a common balance,
Where you do your work, and you do your love,
And they pay you, and praise your many talents.
And I'm passing through, and we're not going to sleep,
she laughs and puts on the tea,
She says, "You know I think you remember every part of me."
And the water starts to boil,
And if I had a camera
Showing all the light we give
and showing where the light extends,
I'd give it to my friends.

Sometimes I see myself, sometimes I need a witness.
And I like the whole truth,
but there are nights I only need forgiveness.
Sometimes they say, "I don't know who you are,
but let me walk with you some."
And I say, "I'm all alone, that's all,
you can't save me from all the wrong I've done,"
But they're waiting all the same,
With their flashlights and their semaphores,
And I'll act like I have faith and like that faith never ends,
But I really just have friends.