There was someone that I used to know
she was a personal friend of mine
we were lovers long ago
back in the traveling times
and I happened to pass through her town
I thought I'd call her on the phone
so we could talk about what we'd found
she said, hey, please just leave me alone

Oh, and I
I don't know
everywhere I go
sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin
and the moon is as round as a banjo

I guess he took it pretty hard
he just kept drinking all through the night
we walked along by the old church yard
in the bloodshot morning light
He said, "I was always afraid she'd go away
I've been expecting it for years"
and as I looked at the cold blue bay
it looked like my friend's eyes all full of tears

Oh, and I
I don't know
everywhere I go
sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin
and the moon is as round as a banjo

Oh, grandmother has seen such grief
that when she laughs we all go crazy
she says that it is her belief
that us youngsters get too lazy
we give up on love so fast
and we scatter out so wide and so far
we dream of no future and we love no past
grandma don't know where all her great grandchildren are

Oh, and I
I don't know
everywhere I go
sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin
and the moon is as round as a banjo

There's so many of my friends
and I bet there's some of yours too
who find themselves at such loose ends
all grown up and nothing to do
just trying to make a little dough
and help eachother through the dark
I hope they find a way to go
I pray they will not lose their spark

Oh, and I
I don't know
everywhere I go
sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin
and the moon is as round as a banjo

I'd like to meet you someplace
besides a tavern or a station
where we could look at eachother's face
in a little better situation
we could have some supper and a talk
play that music that we love
and we could take a country walk
under the holy stars above

Oh, and I
I don't know
everywhere I go
sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin
and the moon is as round as a banjo