Harry Chapin

Lyrics

[Part I]

[Verse 1]
It was an early morning barroom and the place just opened up
And the little man come in so fast and started at his cups
And the broad who served the whisky
She was a big old friendly girl
And she tried to fight her empty nights by smilin' at the world
And she said, "Hey Bub, it's been awhile since you been around
Where the hell you been hidin', and why you look so down?"
But the little man just sat there like he'd never heard a sound

[Pre-Chorus]
The waitress, she gave out with a cough
And acting not the least put off
She spoke once again

[Chorus]
She said, "I don't wanna bother you
Consider it's understood
I know I'm not no beauty queen
But I sure can listen good"

[Post-Chorus]
And the little man took his drink in his hand
And he raised it to his lips
He took a couple of sips
And he told the waitress this story
[Part II]

[Verse 2]
I am the midnight watchman down at Miller's Tool and Die
And I watch the metal rusting and I watch the time go by
A week ago at the diner I stopped to get a bite
And this here lovely lady, she sat two seats from my right
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was alright

[Verse 3]
Oh, she was so damn beautiful that she'd warm a winter frost
But she was long past lonely, and well nigh on to lost
Now I'm not much of a mover or a pick-'em-up easy guy
But I decided to glide on over and give her one good try
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was worth a try

[Verse 4]
Tongued-tied like a schoolboy, I stammered out some words
But it did not really matter much, 'cause I don't think she heard
She just looked clear on through me to a space back in my head
And it shamed me into silence as quietly she said

[Chorus]
"If you want me to come with you
Then that's all right with me
'Cause I know I'm goin' nowhere
And anywhere's a better place to be"
[Post-Chorus]
"Anywhere's a better place to be"

[Verse 5]
I drove her to my boarding house, and I took her up to my room
And I went to turn on the only light to brighten up the gloom
But she said, "Please leave the light off
Oh, I don't mind the dark"
And as her clothes all tumbled 'round her
I could hear my heart

[Verse 6]
The moonlight shone upon her as she lay back in my bed
It was the kind of scene I only had imagined in my head
I just could not believe it, to think that she was real
And as I tried to tell her, she said "Shhh.. I know just how you feel"

[Chorus]
"And if you want to come here with me
Then that's all right with me
'Cause I've been oh, so lonely
Lovin' someone is a better way to be"

[Post-Chorus]
"Anywhere's a better place to be"
[Verse 7]
The mornin' come so swiftly, but I held her in my arms
But she slept like a baby, snug and safe from harm
I did not want to share her with the world or break the mood
So before she woke I went out and brought us both some food

[Segue]
I come back with my paper bag
To find that she was gone
She'd left a six-word letter
Saying, "It's time that I moved on"

[Part III]

[Verse 8]
The waitress took her bar rag and she wiped it across her eyes
And as she spoke her voice came out as something like a sigh
She said, "I wish that I was beautiful
Or that you were halfway blind
And I wish I weren't so doggone fat
I wish that you were mine
And I wish that you'd come with me when I leave for home
For we both know all about loneliness and livin' all alone"

[Pre-Chorus]
And the little man
Looked at the empty glass in his hand
And he smiled a crooked grin
He said, "I guess I'm outta gin
And I know we both have been so lonely"

[Chorus]
"And if you want me to come with you
Then that's all right with me
'Cause I know I'm goin' nowhere
And anywhere's a better place to be"Embed

If you're a fan of Harry Chapin, you may have heard his song entitled "A Better Place to Be" from his album Sniper and Other Love Songs - arguably one of his best albums. This song is famous for its poetic lyrics and the deep emotions it evokes in the listener.

At its core, "A Better Place to Be" tells a story about a midnight watchman who meets a woman and has a one-night stand. The watchman then confides in a waitress while drinking gin, pouring out his heart and his feelings of loss and loneliness. Released as a single, the song reached No. 18 on the Billboard Bubbling Under chart, while a live version, from the 1976 album Greatest Stories Live, reached No. 86 on the Hot 100 chart.

About A Better Place to Be

Harry Chapin wrote and composed "A Better Place to Be," and it was released in 1972. The song's ethereal melody and heartfelt lyrics are brought together by Chapin's unique vocal style. It is a folk song that embodies the essence of human emotion.

The story behind "A Better Place to Be" tells of a brief romance between a midnight watchman and a woman he met, which comes to nothing but haunting memories of her. The haunting lyrics beautifully convey the watchman's feelings - loneliness and desperation, illuminated by the woman's beauty. The watchman confides his story to a waitress, as he drinks his sorrows away.

According to Chapin, this song was his favorite creation, and it shows in the way he presents the story and shares the emotions of the characters.

"A Better Place to Be" is made all the more poignant by its tender, simple arrangement. The guitar is used subtly to blend with the vocals, and the lead guitar used is a unique feature that merges well with the story. The song's simplicity lets the lyrics and the story shine out, evoking a sense of timelessness.

The single, initially a B-side, enjoyed moderate success and did considerably well, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Bubbling Under chart. The live version from 1976's Greatest Stories Live reached No. 86 on the Hot 100 chart.

Harry Chapin's inspiration for this track came from a visit to Watertown, New York, where he spent a week, which he humorously describes as having spent "a week there one afternoon" while introducing this song. The episode inspired him, and the lyrics of "A Better Place to Be" were born.

The song's title, "A Better Place to Be," is a metaphor for the emotional solace the watchman finds in confiding in another about his broken heart. In a sense, the song implies that our struggles can be lighter when we find someone to share them with.

"A Better Place to Be" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the heart. It teaches us about the enormity of love, and how it can haunt us even after it's gone. Though it may not be Harry Chapin's most well-known song, it still holds enough power to touch hearts and make us feel more connected to each other."

• Release Date: 1972
• Artist: Harry Chapin