Ergo Dubito

The Earlybird Cafe by Lane Teegan
(courtesy of Backyard Steve, performed by John Mellencamp on Fresh Air)

Everybody’s laughin’ at the Earlybird Cafe
I’ve been headed there since yesterday, I believe I’ve lost my way
Charlotte’s there in organdy, Billy’s there in suede
Y’ know that money’s in their pockets, & all their dues are paid
there’s wine on every table, & food on every plate
well I hope I get there pretty soon, before it gets too late

Someone asked me what time it was – I told him it was now
he asked me just what that might mean, but time would not allow
so I gave away my watch to a passing businessman
I hope he understands me now – I’ve done the best I can
But it was getting early, as I rushed away from there
with that ancient earth beneath my feet
and new dust in my hair

So I went on down the highway to the other side of town
my clothes was gettin’ wrinkled, & my socks was fallin’ down
but I could not stop to pull them up, for fear that I’d be late
so I kept on runnin’ down the road until I saw the gate -
of the Earlybird Cafe, glowin’ golden like the sun
everybody they laughin’ & callin’,
“Come on in, we’ve just begun !”

So I went on in, & I set right down, & I ordered me up some wine
y’know the talk was fast & clever, & the women all was fine
Charlotte asked me where I’d been with my jaded ivory eyes
I told her I’d been hung up, with some beggar in disguise
She laughed like temple bells,
she kissed me on the cheek & said:
” It’s hard to be alive sometimes…….
but it’s easy………
to be dead!”