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