E             
Circumstances eat themselves
    A            A/G# F#m
The present tense has been
B
Fill the fancy bowl up
       A                E
At the present tense tureen.

E
I once had a girl, she lived in the past
                    A                   E
It was clear that relationship wouldn't last
                      B
It was clear from the way she had to sleep south
                      A                E
It was clear from the lines around her mouth

So I went for a walk in the ravine
               A            E
I came upon an unbelievable scene
          B
In a tiny creek there's a tiny boat
            A             E
With a tiny man in a tiny coat

I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?"
                     A            E
He said "Of course I can - I'm an elf
               B
We're not just fictional device
        A                  E
We sail ravines and give advice"

I said "My baby is what it's about"
                  A                     E
He cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about
              B
Don't fill me in on right or wrong
           A                   E
Take these ropes and sing this song"

E             
Circumstances eat themselves
    A            A/G# F#m
The present tense has been
B
Fill the fancy bowl up
       A                E
At the present tense tureen.

E
His eyes were afire, he lit up a coal
            A                        E
Handed me a ladle and a little white bowl
                   B
Put the pot on the fire, he opened a book
              A                       E
And said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook"

"That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen"
                    A              E
He said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen
             B
And what's inside will make you well
             A             E
So ring this little dinner bell"

Then he giggled in french - that's what he did
              A                           E
Like a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid
          B
"Help yourself" he beamed with pride
              A               E
But there was no sweet soup inside.

Silence fell on the cooling night
                   A                  E
I thought I better fake it just to be polite
         B
Smallest friend, biggest moon
      A           E
Empty bowl, empty spoon.

E             
Circumstances eat themselves
    A            A/G# F#m
The present tense has been
B
Fill the fancy bowl up
       A                E
At the present tense tureen.

E             
Circumstances eat themselves
    A            A/G# F#m
The present tense has been
B
Fill the fancy bowl up
       A                E
At the present tense tureen.