Tulip

Augie March

Are you lit from the inside 
Is that why your teeth are bright? 
You smile as the sunsets on the window 
And the car fills up with light 
Make a smile tulip, don't think of me 
As something that's passed

I am not written in the book, 
But I intend to last 
And as the sun comes up you know 
It's really going down
You only framed it incorrectly, 
Now you cannot turn it round 

If there's enough of us here left, 
Then we'll drive it into town 
And when we pass the field of tulips, 
Then I'll put the knuckle down. 
Don't frown tulip 
Make a smile

Don't frown tulip
You know it's all worthwhile 
There are lions by the roadside, 
I was driving with my father
Through a dream of French forests

And all is warmth and solace
And all said He is with us
But always sad and serious 
Standing outside in the garden, 
Pained and peerless 

Don't frown tulip
Make a smile 
Don't frown tulip 
You know it's all worthwhile 
Make a smile at the end of your tether 
This was never gonna last forever 

The woods all were peopled 
With daughters and sons 
The teeming uncounted 
And unchosen ones 
Who don't dance anymore
They just move around in bubbles 

And nobody notices 
Nobody's troubles 
Nobody notices 
Nobody's troubles 
Don't frown tulip
Make a smile 
Don't frown tulip
You know it's all worthwhile 
Make a smile at the end of your tether 
This was never gonna last forever 
Don't frown tulip 
Don't frown tulip