© words and music: garnett betts
Was a long way down Highfield
To the cross town number five,
And we’d stamp our feet freezin’
Outside the Legacy Hotel
Where uncle Frank played Friday night
With style and story we could never tell
Eddy’s dad’s youngest younger brother
And he was cool as hell!
Chorus
He’d say. “if you’re waiting, you’re fading
Smart guys don’t fade away
And if you’re playin’ you’re sailin’
Over this town in a deep freeze
Old enough to know what you got,
Are you going to fade away or not?
If you’re waiting, you’re fading
And smart guys don’t fade away!”
Bridge
And we’d step back from the curb
For every bus we’d never ride
With one eye up the road
While the music played inside
But one night alone I took the next one
That I wasn’t waiting for
You know the perfect chance don’t take you
Where you never been before
Chorus
…cause if you’re waiting, you’re fading
Smart guys don’t fade away
And if you’re playin’, you’re sailin’
Over this town in a deep freeze
Old enough to know what you got,
Are you going to fade away or not?
If you’re waiting, you’re fading
And smart guys don’t fade away!
It was a long way down Highfield
To the cross town bus we met
Now the Legacy is just a memory
But the music’s not done yet
Well uncle Frank played himself out west
Still calls Val his last brunette
But now he says, ” know I had to change my ways
A second chance is so hard to get!”
Chorus
“‘Cause if you’re waiting, you’re fading
Smart guys don’t fade away
And if you’re playin’ you’re sailin’
Over this town in a deep freeze
When you’re old enough to know all you got,
Are you going to fade away or not?
If you’re waiting, you’re fading
And smart guys don’t fade away!
No smart guys don’t fade away!”
Garnett Betts 