I stood and looked across the water I had to get to the other side Because I knew that you'd be waitin' I didn't want to take the long way 'round The captain said the ship was leavin' And that we'd better get on board I settled down to watch the sun rise And wondered if I'd see the sun go down The sea was rough and the wind was howlin' But I was laughin' all the way I didn't care about the weather Because I knew that you'd be waitin' I didn't want to take the long way 'round Then a stranger sat beside me It was my brother in disguise He said he knew where I was goin' He asked me why I took the long way 'round The sea was rough and the wind was howlin' But I was laughin' all the way I didn't listen to the stranger Because I knew that you'd be waitin' I didn't want to take the long way 'round At last I get to my destination The stranger turned and walked away He didn't know where he was goin' He said he had to take the long way 'round I stood and looked across the water I thought of what I'd left behind Because I knew that you'd be waitin' I didn't want to take the long way 'round Because I knew that you'd be waitin' I didn't want to take the long way 'round