You Can't Get There From Here

(Go back)

YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE

When I pulled into Pittsburgh
'Bout a half past nine
Through the tunnel northward
To that stunning night skyline
A package on the dashboard
For an old, old friend of mine
Had his address
But I didn't know the way

So, I found a filling station
And I bought my Dodge a drink
Just a bit impatient
For the missing link
Got myself a map
And asked the manager to think
If he could steer me straight
And not lead me astray

He said: "You can't get there from here
Gotta start from some place else
I'll try to make it clear
Coz I was just not there myself
You go a couple miles
You cross a bridge
You make a right
You can't get there from here
But you'll get there from there all right."

I allowed that I was lost
'Bout a half past ten
Too many bridges crossed
Or one bridge over and again
I didn't count the cost
Coz I was tryin' to find a friend -
A friend who changed my life in every way.

So I asked a taxi driver
To politely point me on
He looked like a survivor
Of some mean street marathons
He held out for a fiver
Then he looked at me dead on
He said, "You ain't saved yet
This ain't your lucky day."

He said: "You can't get there from here
Gotta start from some place else
I'll try to make it clear
Coz I was just not there myself
You go a couple miles
You cross a bridge
You make a right
You can't get there from here
But you'll get there from there all right."

Life is like this crazy town
And you're bound to discover
You don't how you get around
From one point to another, brother

When I finally found my buddy's door
It was twelve o' clock
One window lit the second floor
I struck it with a rock
And a face that I adored
Was more than just a little shocked
For me to see her
In my best old buddy's shirt

And as tears appeared in both their eyes
I handed them a box
I said, "You thought you took it all. Surprise.
Here's somethin' you forgot:
Your hearts in actual size."
They said, "It's empty. Tell us what
To do to get you to forgive us for the hurt."

I said, "You can't get there from here
Gotta start from someplace dark
A broken heart frontier
Where you can't see a single spark
Walk a mile in my shoes
Mend some bridges that you've burned
You can't get there from here
But you might get there when you've learned.

Oh, no. You can't get there from here
But I'll forgive you when it's earned."