[Verse 1]

She was reading a book that she'd already read, just to pass the time

He just sat there and stared at the TV set like he was barely alive

And when the local news was over, they would climb the stairs

And crawl in bed underneath the covers like neither one was there

[Chorus]

And it's a long, long way across the great divide

The songs that they once sang now echo far and wide

They could still get back all the love that they have lost

But only if they both will reach across

'Cause it's a long, long way to the other side of the great divide

[Verse 2]

He was up in the attic on the fourth of July 'cause they flew a flag in the yard

When he found some old roses she had long ago dried before they drifted apart

And how the years had slipped right by them he didn't understand

He carried a petal into the kitchen and he placed it in her hand

[Chorus]

And it's a long, long way across the great divide

The songs that they once sang now echo far and wide

They could still get back all the love that they have lost

But only if they both will reach across

'Cause it's a long, long way to the other side of the great divide