"You Can't Get There From Here" Lyrics

When I pulled into Pittsburgh
'Bout a half past nine
Through the tunnel Northward
To that stunning night skyline

A package on the dashboard
For an old, old friend of mine
Well, I had his address
But I didn't know the way

So, I found a filling station
Bought my Dodge a drink
Just a bit impatient
For the missing link

I got myself a map
And asked the manager to think
If he could steer me straight
And not lead me astray

He said, "I can't get there from here
You'll have to start from someplace else
I'll try to make this clear
'Coz I was just not there myself
You go a couple miles
You cross a bridge
You make a right
You can't get there from here
But you'll get there from there all right."

Well, I allowed that I was lost
'Bout a half past ten
Too many bridges crossed
Or one bridge, over and again

But I didn't count the cost
'Coz I was trying to find a friend
A friend who changed my life
In every way

So, I asked a taxi driver
To politely point me on
He looked like a survivor
Of some mean street marathons

He held out for a five
Then he looked at me dead on
He said, "You ain't saved yet
This ain't your lucky day."

He said, "I can't get there from here
You'll have to start from someplace else
I'll try to make this clear
'Coz I was just not there myself
You go a couple miles
You cross a bridge
You make a right
You can't get there from here
But you'll get there from there all right."

By the time I found my buddy's door
It was twelve o' clock
A window lit the second floor
I struck it with a rock

Then a face that I'd adored
Looked more than just a little shocked
For me to see her
In my best, old buddy's shirt

And, as tears appeared in both their eyes,
I handed them that box
I said, "You thought you took it all.
Surprise. Here's something your forgot.

"Your hearts in actual size."
She said, "It's empty, tell me what
To do to get you
To forgive us for the hurt."

I said, "You can't get there from here
You'll have to start from someplace dark
A broken heart frontier
Where you can't see a single spark.

"Walk a mile in my shoes
Mend some bridges that you burn
You can't get there from here
But you'll get there from when you learn.

"Oh, no, you can't get there from here
But I'll forgive you when you learn."