He went to Carolina, hoping it would be better there
only if he could have said I love you before he left
or maybe stayed where he was at

Just a lonely survivor on retreat trying to make ends meet
he should have taken her from her California seat yet he
left without her

She played for all to hear, she'd sing for free in any pub
she sang of her heartbreak love affair, now she's a
wayward wanderer

First time she saw him he was playing on some stage in
Southern California, his music really spoke to her, the way
each chord was played, It's like he knew her

They went out and painted the town a rosy red, made love
on a rooftop over some jazz club. He said, I really had
a great time with you, but it's time for me to be moving on

They walked hand in hand back to his beat up van, he said
I want you but I need to make it on my own, I'll come by
to see you before I go, ok is all she said

He went to Carolina, hoping it would be better there
only if he could have said I love you before he left
or maybe stayed where he was at

Now he's driving on his way back to Southern California
hoping he can find her, he wanted her to know he loves
her, and wondering if she would even care

He saw her singing on stage, the room was full with no
seat to be found. He walked up and stood right in front
of her, hoping she'd look his way

When the song was over she walked towards the bar
she didn't see him standing in front of her, when she
saw him her eyes welled up, he took her in his arms
said... 

It's you I love