My Friends - Dar Williams

"He's a quiet man," that's all she said 
And he's a thoughtful man 
It's just he likes to keep his thoughts up in his head 
And we finally meet, and she tries to draw him out a bit 
She says "He's writing something, 
Hey now, why don't you talk about it?" 
And he doesn't make a sound 
He's just staring at his coffee 
And I know there's all this beauty 
And this greatness she'll defend 
But I think it's in my friend 
I have a friend in a bright and distant town 
She's found a common balance 
Where you do your work, and you do your love 
And they pay you, and praise your many talents 
Well I'm passing through, and we know we won't sleep 
She laughs, puts up the tea 
She says "You know I think you remember every part of me." 
And the water starts to boil 
And if I had a camera 
Showing all the light we give 
And showing where the light extends 
I'd give it to my friends 
Sometimes I see myself fine, sometimes I need a witness 
And I like the whole truth 
But there are nights I only need forgiveness 
Sometimes they say "I don't know who you are 
But let me walk with you some" 
And I say "I am alone, that's all 
You can't save me from all the wrong I've done." 
But they're waiting just the same 
With their flashlights and their semaphores 
And I'll act like I have faith and like that faith never ends 
But I really just have friends