"He's a quiet man," that's all she said   And he's a thoughtful man   It's just he likes to keep his thoughts up in his head   And we finally meet, and she tries to draw him out a bit   She says "He's writing something,   Hey now, why don't you talk about it?"   And he doesn't make a sound   He's just staring at his coffee   And I know there's all this beauty   And this greatness she'll defend   But I think it's in my friend   I have a friend in a bright and distant town   She's found a common balance   Where you do your work, and you do your love   And they pay you, and praise your many talents   Well I'm passing through, and we know we won't sleep   She laughs, puts up the tea   She says "You know I think you remember every part of me."   And the water starts to boil   And if I had a camera   Showing all the light we give   And showing where the light extends   I'd give it to my friends   Sometimes I see myself fine, sometimes I need a witness   And I like the whole truth   But there are nights I only need forgiveness   Sometimes they say "I don't know who you are   But let me walk with you some"   And I say "I am alone, that's all   You can't save me from all the wrong I've done."   But they're waiting just the same   With their flashlights and their semaphores   And I'll act like I have faith and like that faith never ends   But I really just have friends