I stood and looked across the water,

I had to get to the other side.

Because I knew that you'd be waitin'

I didn't want to take the long way 'round.



The captain said the ship was leavin'

And that we'd better get on board.

I settled down to watch the sunrise

And wondered if I'd see the sun go down.



The sea was rough and the wind was howlin'

But I was laughin' all the way.

I didn't care about the weather,

Because I knew that you'd be waitin'

I didn't want to take the long way 'round.



Then a stranger sat beside me,

It was my brother in disguise.

He said he knew where I was goin',

He asked me why I took the long way 'round.



The sea was rough and the wind was howlin',

But I was laughing all the way.

I didn't listen to the stranger,

Because I knew that you'd be waitin'

I didn't want to take the long way 'round.



At last I came to my destination,

The stranger turned and walked away.

He didn't know where he was goin',

He said he had to take the long way 'round.