I stood and looked across the water   I had to get to the other side   Because I knew that you'd be waitin'   I didn't want to take the long way 'round.      The captain said the ship was leavin'   And that we'd better get on board   I settled down to watch the sunrise   And wondered if I'd see the sun go down.      The sea was rough and the wind was howlin'   But I was laughing all the way   I didn't care about the weather   Because I knew that you'd be waitin'   I didn't want to take the long way 'round      Then a stranger sat beside me   It was my brother in disguise   He said he knew where I was goin'   He asked me why I took the long way 'round.      The sea was rough and the wind was howlin'   But I was laughing all the way   I didn't listen to the stranger   Because I knew that you'd be waitin'   I didn't want to take the long way 'round      At last, I came to my destination   The stranger turned and walked away   He didn't know where he was goin'   He said he had to take the long way 'round.      I stood and looked across the water   I thought of what I'd left behind   Because I knew that you'd be waitin'   I didn't want to take the long way 'round.      Because I knew that you'd be waitin'   I didn't want to take the long way 'round.            Organ/Piano: Tom Parker   Lead Vocals: Gerry Rafferty   Backing Vocals: Gerry Rafferty / Joe Egan