waiting at the gate

Carly Simon

An occasional joint
A glass or two of beer
Still I would never have guessed
That you'd wind up here

In a half-way house
On a dead-end street
In a run-down part
Of a one-horse town

But just do what they say
Don't worry 'bout your girl
'Cause I won't run away
And I won't run around
And I won't let you down
And without a doubt
I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate
When they let you out

You set the world on fire
Dancing after dark
Now you're playing solitaire
In a fenced-in park
I'm not the one to judge you
So baby don't be scared
No one gets a free ride
None of us is spared

I'll be back on the ninth
I've circled the date
Three o'clock sharp
And I won't be late
You've been through hell
I know what that's all about
And I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate
When they let you out

The doctors have so little faith
They said you were a classic case
They said the chance is eight in ten
They'd see you back in here again

But I'm counting on you
To prove the doctors wrong
I'm imagining you, healthy and strong
Your papers all stamped
Your eyes so bright and blue
Looking like a baby picture of you

Walking down the path
Your suitcase in your hand
The howling at your back
A brand new man
Be a perfect little camper
Be a brave little scout
And I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate
When they let you out...