The streets are almost empty,
the shops are all closed down
There's not a soul left in the bar
to tell my troubles to
Think I will walk down to the river
that heads just south of town
And I hate like hell
when there ain't nothin' left to do
But stand beneath the river bridge
and listen for the train
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain
I broke down in December,
headed for the coast
I thought the wind and water
would elevate my mind
I sur faced in the springtime,
feeling like a ghost
Losing more than ever,
the things I left behind
Now I'm standing on this riverbank,
and still
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain
My bag is full of letters,
unopened and unread
I'm sure they tell the story
of worry and of form
My heart is beating heavy
with all we left unsaid
I swear to you I
never meant you any harm
The sacrifice and compromise
could never stand this strain
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain
Tonight I'll close my eyes again,
try to see your face
Listen for your voice
to tell me it's alright to sleep
Convince myself
I'll wake up in another time and place
Knowing all the while
it's a promise I can't keep
A string of broken promises,
another link of change
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain
The children on the plane,
the lovers in the shade
Remind me of a life in time
that feels more like a dream
When the sound of love and laughter
was the music that we played
As we lay beside the waters
of a never -ending stream
Now the stream's gone into hiding,
the dream lives on in vain
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain
The clouds are building slowly,
on the skyline to the east
The wind and dust are dancing,
like the devil crossed the lake
I could try to find a bottle,
or try to find a priest
Salvation won't be trouble,
either road I take
So I'll turn my collar to the wind
that echoes this refrain
It's been a long hot summer,
not a drop of rain