Lyrics

THE LITTLE THINGS - © 2003 Eli Stevens
So this fella walks into the diner, takes a menu and sits at the counter.
I says, ?Sweetheart, you?re lookin? a little bit pale. Would you like I should pour you some coffee??.
He says, ?Would you bring me the Lumberjack Special, the one with the hotcakes the eggs and the bacon, the o.j. the rye bread and fries on the side?
Bring it quick ?cause I?m fixin? to die?.

?Ooh?, he says, ?it?s the little things, like the butter that melts on top of the hotcakes, like the syrup that sticks to your fingers as you pour it??

He glances over at a booth, there?s a dad cutting waffles for his little boy,
while the mom wipes up milk with a ?don?t worry? smile,
and a far-away look in her eye.
He can tell right away they?re not from around here.
Perhaps he remembers a trip of his own,
?cause he smiles through a grimace, catches his breath,
says, ?These are good things to see before death?.

?Ooh?, he says, ?it?s the little things, like a child looking up
into your eyes, like having someone that will stand tall beside you??

Then he looks at my nametag and says,
?Listen Francie, there?s something I want you to do.
In my wallet, there?s a number I?d like you to call.
Tell my daughter I?m alright, now I?m counting on you.
Tell her not to worry ?cause I didn?t pull the trigger.
Don?t tell her I took a bullet in the chest.
Now I think I?ll lie down in that booth in the corner.
Just give me twenty minutes, I could sure use the rest.?

?Ooh?, he says, ?it?s the little things, like a little peace and quiet as you go,
like the tip at the end of a fella?s last meal??

Well, the ambulance came but too late.
Cops closed the place down for an hour or so.
I don?t know how much longer I can work on that night shift.
So, how did your day go?

Here?s that piece of paper, why do you ask?
You really thing I should call?
I don?t wanna lie, I?ll just tell the truth.
He seemed like a nice enough guy.

Ooh, the little things.
What did he mean by the little things?