Howdy, East Orange

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Well, I fanned a flame for Mary 
That went out when you arrived 
But how ever wrong the reasons 
Stayed the course and made a life 
Around a friend I thought would be a better wife 
And I pretended I could leave and never write 

But I counted on the memory 
Of your love to feel alive 
When the life that I was leading 
Had convinced my heart to die 
Through all the years I lost to fear and knew were lies 
When all the tears I fought appeared and still denied 

My dreams are all devoted 
And my thoughts always drift to you 
My wife admits we're fond but not in love 
What hope was left eroded 
Now there's nothing left to lose 
I know it's wrong to tell you know 
Though much to my dismay 
But hear the words "I love you" when I say 
"Howdy, East Orange" 

Now the things I used to hope for 
All get put up on a shelf 
With a wife and kids to care for 
There's no more living for myself 
I watch beliefs I held get buried in the past 
With all the needs I thought to please but knew were last 

My dreams are all devoted 
And my thoughts always drift to you 
My wife admits we're fond but not in love 
What hope was left eroded 
Now there's nothing left to lose 
I'm sorry doesn't say it now 
For such a long delay 
But hear the words "I love you" when I say 
"Howdy, East Orange" 

How many years are left to waste on dreaming 
How many years were lost along the way 
I tried to make the best but now I'm screaming 
It only made it worse to long to say 

My dreams are all devoted 
And my thoughts always drift to you 
My wife admits we're fond but not in love 
What hope was left eroded 
Now there's nothing left to lose 
It doesn't make a difference now 
But later on it may 
So hear the words "I love you" when I say 
"Howdy, East Orange" 

And though we're not together 
You're not too far away 
To hear the words "I love you" when I say 
"Howdy, East Orange"