Josh Ritter Kathleen Lyrics

Kathleen Lyrics

all the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights 

they try to shine in through your curtains—you’re too close and too bright 

they try and they try but everything that they do 

is the ghost of a trace of a pale imitation of you 



I’ll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen 

this party is made with the night air and the chance that a smile 

will wind its way from your face to one of the boys in your line 

you act like you’re hip to their tricks and you’re strong 

but a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song 

I’ll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen 

and I’ll have you back by break of day 

I’m going your way anyway 

and if you’d like to come along 

I’ll be yours for a song 

I know you are waiting and I know that it is not for me 

but I’m here and I’m ready and I’ve saved you the passenger seat 

I won’t be your last dance just your last goodnight 

every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied 

I’ll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen 

so crawl up your trellis and quietly back into your room 

and I’ll coast down the length of your drive by the light of the moon 

and the next time I see you—a new kind of hello 

both our hearts have a secret only both of us know 

‘bout the night that I drove you back home Kathleen