Downtown Canon

Walter Becker

I cracked the code and I knew what it's all about
We found the loft on Greene Street, swept that bad boy out
Alsatian wine, playing records way past four
Making some crazy soulful love on the hard wood floor
Where did our love go?

You hung the picture of young Dizzy on the wall
According to me that was the best day of them all
Sweet, sweet words like honey from the tongue
Yes, there was magic then in every song we sung

Hey, don't let 'em kid you, stay cool it'll be all right
Don't trade today for tomorrow, tomorrow for tomorrow night
You chop wood, carry the water, sometimes it be that way
No lie, the downtown canon so wild so fresh so free
Stand by the downtown canon, I say that it's got to be

Chasing sensation to remind us who we are
You met that half-crazed painter fool in some damn bar
Cocaine dreams and chiba-chiba nights
You had to share his world in shades of black and white
Did'nt'cha baby?

Yes, I, it's a real good theory, can you live with the day to day?
Sure thing, no problemo, sometimes it be that way
You go girl, it's now or never, no one holds out that long
Says here in the downtown canon keep it real, it'll be okay
Right here, the downtown canon, could it be any other way?

Packed up the Dylan and the Man Ray and the Joyce
I left a note that said, well, I guess I got no choice
Excuse me, girl, while I'm kickin' it to the curb
I'm leaving with all I need but less than I deserve

She says, poor everybody, never mind for me and you
Too bad she don't remember, too bad that I still do
It all goes wrong in a hurry, you know it's the second law
Writ large in the downtown canon, it goes up and it must come down
Right here, the downtown canon, catch you on the turnaround