By Half - Bill Hicks

I am an old brick mason and I’ve traveled in my time--

I’ve rambled north, I’ve rambled south, and up and down the line;

I’ve wandered east and wandered west, I’ve been most everywhere

I’ve seen some things would make you weep, and some would make you stare

And some would make you stare

In Baton Rouge a lady lived, as best I can recall

It was so very long ago it could have been St. Paul

At any rate she kissed me with a rare and magic glance

And I commenced to court and spark as if I had a chance

As if I had a chance

Her ankle it was curved just so, I never glanced her knee

My heart began to patter should her dappled mare I see

And passing I would leave a note, tucked neatly in her tack

And hope I would that she would read, much more to send one back

Much more to send one back

And this she did!

I’ll ne’er forget, that lovely spring-time morn

When rising with the early bells I found a scented form

All pink and blue and violets, the message a cool draught--

«My love,» she said, «my love for you it grows and grows by half

«Each day it grows by half.»

From thince the time flew quickly, and the bricks rose from the floor

I would stand upon my scaffold, watch my love pass thru the door

Our notes would fly, like Luna moths, around the growing flame

In every one she’d add a half, and I would do the same

And I would do the same

The summer passed to autumn, and the hotel it was done

Where once there had been half the bricks there now was not a one

And where her arrow once was seated well and to the mark

I’d seen it fly until it came to rest inside my heart

To rest inside my heart

But then she told me sadly, that it was ne’er to be--

She had learned in mathematics that tis falseness that we see--

For when an arrow’s started it must go by half, not all

And from that it follows clearly that it cannot start at all

Oh, it cannot start at all

Each building that I’ve started has been finished in the end

Each brick I’ve laid has kept its place spite of the stoutest wind

I’ve heard the lady’s married to some attorney from Dubuque

With several lively children and a terrier named «Duke.»

A terrier named «Duke.»

But I--I've long departed, tho I’m not sure if I’ve went

The road is long and winding, but the journey isn’t spent

I’ve never loved another like the girl who kept my heart

And I’ve cursed the mathematics, that tore us all apart

It tore us all apart

I am an old brick mason now, I’ve traveled in my time--

I’ve rambled north, I’ve rambled south, and up and down the line;

I’ve wandered east and wandered west, I’ve been most everywhere

I’ve seen some things would make you laugh, and some would make you care

And some would make you care