E
You've practiced and rehearsed
    C#m
But in your heart you know
     F#m             A           B
It's too late.
Fm
Experience should tell you
B                     A   E
Never get your story too straight.
      A            
You'd better steel yourself
      G#m
And prepare for
     C#m        F#m
Some blues to descend
               A
'Cause you've broken something this time
B                     E
Stoplight roses can't mend.

       E
You've dusted off your shame face
       C#m                        Fm          A    B
In the mirror behind the bathroom door.
     F#m
That little-boy-lost look 
     B
That used to work so well
        A  E
Doesn't anymore.
   A                                G#m
If you believe your same-old used-to-be
     C#m     F#m
Will see you through
       A                     B             E
You'll last about as long as stoplight roses do.

E         F#m
Stoplight roses
B             E
In their sad array.
                  A
Love's promise in cellophane lace
B           E
Or dead giveaway?
A                    G#m
You'll need time to devise
C#m       F#m
A stylish plan
           A                  B
And you'll do it driving over to
                    E
The stoplight roses man.

E      A                                 G#m
And if you believe your same-old used-to-be
     C#m     F#m
Will see you through
       A                   B                 E
You'll last about as long as stoplight roses do.