She was reading a book that she'd already read

Just to pass the time

He just sat there and stared at the TV set

Like he was barely alive

And when the local news was over

They would climb the stairs

And crawl in bed underneath the covers

Like neither one was there



It's a long, long way

Across the great divide

The songs that they once sang

Now echo far and wide

They could still get back

All the love that they have lost

(But) only if they both will reach across

('Cause) it's a long, long way to the other side

Of the great divide



He was up in the attic on the fourth of July

'Cause they flew a flag in the yard

When he found some old roses she had long ago dried

Before they drifted apart

And how the years had slipped right by them

He didn't understand

He carried a petal into the kitchen

And he placed it in her hand



It's a long, long way

Across the great divide

The songs that they once sang

Now echo far and wide

They could still get back

All the love that they have lost

(But) only if they both will reach across

('Cause) it's a long, long way to the other side

Of the great divide