If You Be Wise

(album: Celebrate Me Home - 1976)

See her candle,
Waver in the window of her summer night.
Lying on the breeze,
She tries to fall asleep.
Flights of fancy,
Dancing through her memories like Arabian Nights.
He is riding on his wings of fire,
And flies away.
She can still hear him say.

If you'll be wise,
If you'll be smart,
Don't let a traveling man take your heart.
Take my advice,
Don't let it start,
You'll think you're different from the rest.
You'll try to do your part,
Until he breaks your heart.

Lunch for the lonely,
Looking at picture postcards of someone else's scene.
Somehow they don't seem real,
The sea's too green.
Somebody calls her,
Giving out information,
About the boy on the moon.
Suddenly it's all too much,
To be told,
What she already knows.

If you'll be wise,
If you'll be smart,
Don't let a traveling man take your heart.
Take my advice,
Don't let it start,
'Cause you've been told too many times.

[Instrumental]

If you'll be wise,
If you'll be smart,
Don't let a traveling man take your heart.
Take my advice,
Don't let it start,
'Cause you've been told too many times.

If you'll be wise,
If you'll be smart,
Don't let a traveling man take your heart.
Take my advice,
Don't let it start,
'Cause when he comes and needs a friend,
He'll do it all again.

Better be smart,
He's breaking your heart,
Find you another lover.
Better be wise,
And open your eyes,
This time.