I stood and looked across the water
I had to get to the other side
Because I knew that you'd be waitin'
I didn't want to take the long way ‘round.

The captain said the ship was leavin'
And that we'd better get on board
I settled down to watch the sunrise
And wondered if I'd see the sun go down.

The sea was rough and the wind was howlin'
But I was laughing all the way
I didn't care about the weather
Because I knew that you'd be waitin'
I didn't want to take the long way ‘round

Then a stranger sat beside me
It was my brother in disguise
He said he knew where I was goin'
He asked me why I took the long way ‘round.

The sea was rough and the wind was howlin'
But I was laughing all the way
I didn't listen to the stranger
Because I knew that you'd be waitin'
I didn't want to take the long way ‘round

At last, I came to my destination
The stranger turned and walked away
He didn't know where he was goin'
He said he had to take the long way ‘round.

I stood and looked across the water
I thought of what I'd left behind
Because I knew that you'd be waitin'
I didn't want to take the long way ‘round.

Because I knew that you'd be waitin'
I didn't want to take the long way ‘round.