[Verse 1]
She was reading a book that she'd already read, just to pass the time
He just sat there and stared at the TV set like he was barely alive
And when the local news was over, they would climb the stairs
And crawl in bed underneath the covers like neither one was there

[Chorus]
And it's a long, long way across the great divide
The songs that they once sang now echo far and wide
They could still get back all the love that they have lost
But only if they both will reach across
'Cause it's a long, long way to the other side of the great divide

[Verse 2]
He was up in the attic on the fourth of July 'cause they flew a flag in the yard
When he found some old roses she had long ago dried before they drifted apart
And how the years had slipped right by them he didn't understand
He carried a petal into the kitchen and he placed it in her hand

[Chorus]
And it's a long, long way across the great divide
The songs that they once sang now echo far and wide
They could still get back all the love that they have lost
But only if they both will reach across
'Cause it's a long, long way to the other side of the great divide