Mary Chapin Carpenter
Lyric guide

The Long Way Home

Read The Long Way Home lyrics by Mary Chapin Carpenter on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Mary Chapin Carpenter visibility3 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Mary Chapin Carpenter Canonical path: /mary-chapin-carpenter/the-long-way-home Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

The Long Way Home

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

You could be this man, he's got it all worked out

To the nth degree, no fears, no doubts

He'll retire at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green

Now he's got a picture in his head of the perfect wife,

Their perfect children, their perfect life

Nothing wrong with that, coming home each night to his cul-de-sac of dreams

Funny now how it all went by so fast

One day he's looking over his shoulder at the past

When everybody had to go, had to be, had to get somewhere

How did he forget about what got him there

Now you could be this woman, she's the CEO

She's got her power suits and her IPO's

She punched a hole in the ceiling years ago and she hasn't pulled back since

Now there's a gardener for the flowers, a cook for the meals,

A maid for the laundry, an accountant for the bills

A walker for the dog and a trainer when she feels the need

to lose an inch

Funny now how it all went by so fast

One day she's looking over her shoulder at the past

When everybody had to go, had to be, had to get somewhere

Somehow she forgot about what got her there

Accidents and inspiration lead you to your destination

Or you could be the one who takes the long way home

Roll down your window, turn off your phone

See your life as a gift from the great unknown

And your task is to receive it

Tell your kid a story, hold your lover tight

Make a joyful noise, swim naked at night

Read a poem a day, call in well sometimes and

Laugh when they believe it

Funny now how it all goes by so fast

One day I'm looking over my shoulder at the past

Now everybody's got to go, got to be, got to get somewhere

Baby don't forget about

You really shouldn't forget about

Baby don't forget what got you there

I think it's what got you there

Yeah it's really what got you there

You know what got you there

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "The Long Way Home"?

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs "The Long Way Home", and this lyric page sits inside the Mary Chapin Carpenter catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "The Long Way Home"?

Yes. The related section below points to 10,000 Miles and 4 June 1989 with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Mary Chapin Carpenter's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on The Long Way Home yet.