Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen I once had a girl, she lived in the past It was clear that relationship wouldn't last It was clear from the way she had to sleep south It was clear from the lines around her mouth So I went for a walk in the ravine I came upon an unbelievable scene In a tiny creek there's a tiny boat With a tiny man in a tiny coat I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?" He said "Of course I can - I'm an elf We're not just fictional device We sail ravines and give advice" I said "My baby is what it's about" He cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about Don't fill me in on right or wrong Take these ropes and sing this song" Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen His eyes were afire, he lit up a coal Handed me a ladle and a little white bowl Put the pot on the fire, he opened a book And said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook" "That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen" He said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen And what's inside will make you well So ring this little dinner bell" Then he giggled in french - that's what he did Like a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid "Help yourself" he beamed with pride But there was no sweet soup inside Silence fell on the cooling night I thought I better fake it just to be polite Smallest friend, biggest moon Empty bowl, empty spoon Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen