happy birthday jenny
happy birthday to you
today's December first
i would have called to tell you, but me and phones
if we ain't legend, we will be soon

instead i wrote these words down
to sing this tune
especially for you
'cuz radio's dead and I like my bed
So there's little hope you're gonna hear these wishes I offer

this must be better than the real thing
stir it up with your old man again, I like that lucky bloke
cause I remember every movement
and baby, it was a tragic comedy

I guess I think of myself as a playwright
celebrating and re-celebrating
the mystery you've become
that sounds like birthdays
how many candles has it been

since I lovingly trashed my heroine
sabotaged the second act, put it in before the first
distilled the whole thing into verse
and left it with an **old sweater at the bottom of your stairs

For every one I sang you
under my pillow there's three more
I hope I didn't hurt anybody
but myself when they slowly trickled to a halt

but they keep coming and coming,
no I'm not barely through
showing what it's like not to live with you
fighting to stop fighting what's really on my chest
all just to sketch just one more glimpse of - you

act three, here we are already
It was nice to hear your voice
I guess I'll let you go
I understand there just some phone lines you aren't willing to cross
What's that honey?
you know can say anything to me
your birthday's April 4
always glad to call a little ahead of time
talk to you next year sweetie

if I'm on this stage alone
I don't see the harm
I'll play you how I like
self-preservation comes at no cost to you
there's nothing here to laugh at
(well, depends which side the curtain you're standing)
But for this sinking serious moment
Jenny, let me tell you, I think I'll be okay