By and by,
I'm breathing a lover's sigh.
Well, I'm sitting on my watch
So I can be on time
I'm singing love's praises
With sugar-coated rhyme.
By and by,
On you I'm casting my eye.
I'm paintin' the town,
Swingin' my partner around
Well, I know who I can depend on,
I know who to trust
I'm watchin' the roads,
I'm studying the dust
I'm paintin' the town
Making my last go round.
Chorus:
Well, I'm scuffling, and I'm shuffling
And I'm walking on briars
I'm not even acquainted
with my own desires
I'm roamin' slow,
I'm doing all I know.
I'm telling myself
I've found true happiness,
That I've still got a dream
that hasn't been repossessed.
I'm roamin' slow
Going where the wild roses grow.
Chorus:
Well, the future for me
Is already a thing of the past
You were my first love
And you will be my last.
Papa gone mad,
Mama, she's feeling sad.
Well, I'm gonna baptize you in fire
So you can sin no more
I'm gonna establish my rule
Through civil war,
Gonn' make you see
Just how loyal and true a man can be!