i had my head in the clouds, my feet were stuck in the mud.

i’m going back there, ’cause my work isn’t done.

[chorus] get me back to nola, get me back to nola.

get me back to nola, let me do my damn thing!

went down to nola with my shoes on my feet.

got down to nola, put shoes on the street.

in the big easy, where i almost got beat for a buck.

[repeat chorus]

going back to nola, gonna find an honest man.

when i catch up to him, i’m gonna shake his hand;

look him right in the eye, and tell him who i am after all.

[repeat chorus]

copyright 2011 jonathan t marlowe

four years of secrecy

some called it lunacy

i called it only love.

i could have taken vows

i could have ended rows,

but none of the above.

sally.

sally.

others have come and gone

asked me to come along,

but i chose to decline.

i’m waiting in the wind

for you to let me in.

your love is hard to find.

sally.

sally.

there’s a promise that i want to keep,

but first i have to fall asleep.

sally.

what difference does it make

if i’ve made a big mistake?

love’s not right or wrong.

i’ll wait for four more years

if that’s what will keep you near.

it won’t be very long.

© 2000, jonathan t marlowe.

that’s all i’m asking for.

nothing less, nothing more.

i know you’re still awake,

and i could use a break

from the books, and the ache.

and maybe i was wrong,

ignoring you so long.

i was weak, acting strong.

there’s no one else around.

i’m listening to the sound

of my heart as it pounds

hearing you let me down.

let me down.

let me down.

let me down.

words and music © 2009, jonathan t marlowe

when it comes down to numbers, it isn’t much fun.

i’ve kept the statistics, and followed the trends;

as soon as it happens to me, my strategy ends,

i know mathematics, but it’s not math i need.

forget the statistics, ignore probability.

the odds are against me, but odds don’t make destiny.

there isn’t a system. it doesn’t make sense.

i can’t explain it to you without evidence.

it’s not in the numbers. it shouldn’t occur,

but there is no logic to love… haven’t you heard?

i am unlucky, but it’s not luck i need.

dismiss the predictions, and skip the astrology.

the odds are against me, but odds don’t make destiny…

… destiny, destiny, destiny.

i can’t hide forever. why should i try?

the minute i let my guard down, we meet eye to eye.

some say it’s better to love and have lost.

i’ve got my own hypothesis: love is chaos.

dismiss the predictions, and skip the astrology.

forget the statistics, ignore probability.

the odds are against me, but odds don’t make destiny…

… destiny, destiny, destiny.

words and music © 2009, jonathan t marlowe

test my perseverance?

because i think we’d do well as a couple if we can avoid the trouble

from outside interference.

[oh] now isn’t soon enough.

[oh] no use in acting tough.

[oh] too late, i’ve called your bluff.

i liked you from the very start at first as friends, but now my heart

is feeling something extra.

but you act like it doesn’t matter that my emotions have been scattered

all across the spectrum.

[oh] now isn’t soon enough.

[oh] no use in acting tough.

[oh] too late, i’ve called your bluff.

this could my only chance to tell you what i’ve always wanted to express.

last time when i had the chance, it fell through. now, i’m going to get it off my chest.

pay attention. are you listening?

i’m not asking, i’m insisting:

love is worth the wait.

you and i are more alike than different, but people say that opposites attract.

maybe that is why you have the mindset of moving one step forward, two steps back.

pay attention. are you listening?

i’m not asking, i’m insisting:

love is worth the wait.

one opportunity to fall in love with me.

is that too much to ask? is it true… this is my last chance?

love will have to wait.

words and music © 2009, jonathan t marlowe

when it’s mid-day here, it’s moonlight there.

she made it seem like a shallow, narrow stream.

we could get our feet wet, if we dare.

her native language is a slang which i don’t know,

but when it’s spoken, i’m heart-broken and it shows.

we took a walk, and then we had a talk,

but i don’t remember what we said.

it’s been a while. maybe she is in denial

about what’s behind us, and what’s ahead.

she has a custom, will not trust someone like me.

her best excuses are now useless remedies.

i knew a girl from the other side of the world.

when it’s midnight here, it’s sunlight there.

she made it seem like a shallow, narrow dream,

and it’s one that we do not share.

words and music © 2003, jonathan t marlowe

let’s take it easy, like it should be.

let’s talk about it; what’s on your mind?

let’s take it slowly, one at a time.

i’m doing everything i can, carefully following a plan.

let’s keep it simple, no other way.

let’s take it slowly, we have all day.

let’s talk it over; what’s on your mind?

let’s take it easy, nothing to hide.

i’m doing everything i can, carefully following a plan.

i’ve got to be the most i can, even if you don’t understand

anymore who i am anymore. listen well, ’cause i’m telling you the plan.

let’s keep it simple, just you and me.

let’s make it easy, like A-B-C.

let’s take it slowly, we have all day.

let’s keep it simple, no other way.

words & music ©2006, jonathan t marlowe