[INSTRUMENTAL — tremolo guitar arpeggio, brass entering over bongos] [VERSE 1 — smooth nimble phrasing, strings moving underneath] We took the long way south because the highway had Voss's men Because Eli needed sleep and Mara needed time to think The lawyer's office opened at nine, the radio talked about the books Voss was finished, Kell was missing, nobody was calling us free [PRE-CHORUS — rising melody, phaser guitar brightening] One bundle for the lawyer One brother in the back One woman in the front seat Still deciding that [CHORUS — open romantic hook, strings sweeping behind] Take the long way south Take the long way south No clean start Just the next town now [VERSE 2 — warmer vocal, melodic bass turning below] At a café near the border Eli slept against the glass Mara read the lawyer's letter twice and didn't let it pass She said, "He thinks there's a chance", I said, "That's more than yesterday" She said, "Don't make it a promise" [CHORUS — open romantic hook, strings sweeping behind] Take the long way south Take the long way south No clean start Just the next town now [BRIDGE — intimate melody, brass pulsing softly] She asked me for the ferry photograph and held it to the light She said, "We look like people who don't know what happens next" I said, "We didn't", she said, "We still don't" Then she gave it back [VERSE 3 — vulnerable melodic phrasing, guitar glowing] I told her I would understand if she got out at the next town She said, "You'd follow for a while and then you'd turn around" I said, "That's fair", she said, "It is" We finished our coffee [PRE-CHORUS — rising melody, full band lifting] Not forgiveness, not forever Just her hand upon the keys [INSTRUMENTAL — swirling guitar solo, strings and brass trading phrases] [CHORUS — fullest romantic hook, brass and strings together] Take the long way south Take the long way south No clean start Just the next town now [OUTRO — tremolo guitar returning, vocal echoing] Take the long way south Take the long way south She didn't say forever She said, "Drive"
