Intro: G C D C Am D
G
Teacher had you write a letter, you were eight-years-old
C
About the man that you'd become and the positions you'd hold
D C Am D
But this was long before you and Jackie Geronimo met in the Prelude Park at midnight
G
Now when it came to bells and whistles Jackie did not lack
C
When she kissed on the kisser boy you kissed her back
D C Am D
Now you tell her that you love her and she cuts you slack when you drink with your buddies on the weekend.
C D
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
G G/F# Em C
You spend your whole life dropping nickels in the bucket, waking up at dawn
Am B7 Em C
While Jackie bestolled the joys of finger licking
D C G
The clock upon the wall was tickin'
G
You got yourself a job cleaning hospital floors
C
But Jackie had a baby and she had five more
D C Am D
They pay you just enough to drag your ass to the store to buy bread, milk and Better Homes and Gardens
G
Jackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams
C
A cottage in the country built with real wood beams
D C Am D
There's a baby in the bedroom he's starting to scream she holds him though he probably won't remember
C D
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
G G/F# Em C
Sometimes dreams are all you've got to keep you going when the day gets long
Am B7 Em C
And you gave up so many just to make a living
D C G
That clock upon the wall was tickin'
G
Now the kids were all grateful when they left the nest
C
And Jackie wasn't perfect but she did her best
D C Am D
You seized the opportunity to get you some rest but you can't sleep on the count of screaming grandkids
G
The golden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye
C
You're starting to discover it's a great big lie
D C Am D
They work you like a dog till you quit or you die but you cant quit 'cause Jackie needs the benefits
C D
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
G G/F# Em C
They say patience is a virtue but the doctor says she don't have long
Am B7 Em C
And you stood up and tried your damn just not to listen
D C G
But that clock upon the wall was tickin'
G C
When they told you to clear the room that's when it hit you
G D
You watched as a caravan took your sweet heart away
G C
The arguments and fights and money troubles seemed so worthless
G D G
As the kids throw yellow roses on her grave
C D
And the weeks fly by and the years roll on
G G/F# Em C
House is quiet now everything inside seems to know she's gone
Am B7 Em
There's a picture of you both sixteen-years-old kissing
D C G
That clock upon the wall... was tickin'
Solo: G C D C Am D (2x)
G
You always thought you'd had a chance, but it was somewhere hid
C D C Am
Now you come to the conclusion that you never did
D
(Have a chance, now)
G C D C Am D G