Joni Mitchell — Lesson in Survival

[Verse 1] Lesson in survival Spinning out on turns, that gets you tough Guru books, the Bible Only a reminder that you're just not good enough You need to believe in something Once I could in our love [Verse 2] Black road, double yellow line Friends and kin, campers in the kitchen, that's fine sometimes But I know my needs, my sweet tumbleweed I need more quiet times By a river flowing, you and me Deep kisses and the sun going down [Verse 3] Maybe it's paranoia, maybe it's sensitivity Your friends protect you, scrutinize me, I get so damn timid Not at all the spirit that's inside of me Oh baby, I can't seem to make it with you socially There's this reef around me [Verse 4] I'm looking way out at the ocean Love to see that green water in motion I'm going to get a boat And we can row it if you ever get the notion To be needed by me Fresh salmon frying and the tide rolling in [Verse 5] I went to see a friend tonight, was very late when I walked in My talking as it rambled revealed suspicious reasoning The visit seemed to darken him I came in as bright as a neon light And I burned out right there before him [Verse 6] I told him these things I'm telling you now Watched them buckle up in his brow When you dig down deep, you lose good sleep And it makes you heavy company I will always love you, hands alike Magnet and iron, the souls