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 sunrise
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 laughing 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 came 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.