ORDINARY MAN
Gordon Lightfoot
1972


Try to understand
I'm not your ordinary man, still I can't deny
You go with me everywhere
When I'm dreaming you still share my lonely nights.

Try to see my side.
It's not your ordinary pride that keeps driving me on
It's that lonesome, restless feeling that you feel under the gun
And it leads me to the highway but it keeps my body warm.

And as I wander to the cities and the towns
I get so lonesome knowing you could be around
And when the show is over, there's a holiday motel
Another empty bottle and another tale to tell.

Try to comprehend
I'm not your ordinary friend at the end of my life
I would pray that I could be
Returning to the shelter of your love.

Try to see my side.
 It's not your ordinary pride that keeps driving me on
It's that lonesome, restless feeling that you feel under the gun
And it leads me to the highway but it keeps my body warm.

And as I wander to the cities and the towns
I get so lonesome knowing you could be around
And when the show is over, there's a holiday motel
Another empty bottle and another tale to tell.

Try to understand
I'm not your ordinary man, still I can't deny
You go with me everywhere
Like a shadow in the gloom
I remember all the good times
There's a ghost in every room.



(Transcribed by David Story - February 2013)