I DIDN’T KNOW

(Timothy Brickley & David Rheins)

The first time I saw her she was standing in the corner

with a top that just went here, a

little senorita hat, a black fishnet

vision I was afraid would disappear.

I didn't know what she was about

but I planned to find out.

How sweet she would be I never had a doubt.

I imagined us home on her second-hand couch.

Her place was a glorious mess,

books and records, an apricot dress,

the hardwood floor, a dusty caress,

the fan in the window a hypnotizing drone.

    I didn't know what I had that day,

    how precious it was and how it was all gonna fly away.

    No, I didn't know what I had that day

    because I didn't know what I had that day.

I could play back all your memories.

in bed with “Tijuana Moods” and “Exile On Main Street”.

The room all bright, your shadow on the wall,

the heat in your eyes about to fall, and

you'd push me away when it got too intense, and

hold yourself as a last defense, and

I'd search for some obscure reference

to sanctify your moment, your symphony.

    I didn't know what I had that day,

    how precious it was and how it was all gonna fly away.

    No, I didn't know what I had that day

    because I didn't know what I had that day.

Now she's in Milwaukee, just left a trumpet player.

she's got this black kid now, he's beautiful, she says,

he's had a hard life but he's starting to come around, but

she can't talk because he just got home, and

I know, I know I know I know it's true

and I… love you too, and

if you ever needed shelter, I will come through.

    I didn't know what I had that day,

    how precious it was and how it was all gonna fly away.

    No, I didn't know what I had that day

    because I didn't know what I had that day.

    No, I didn't know what I had that day

   because I didn't know what I had that day.

                                                                                  Copyright 1993, Timothy Brickley & David Rheins.