Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been I once had a girl, she lived in the past Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen. It was clear that relationship wouldn't last It was clear from the way she had to sleep south So I went for a walk in the ravine It was clear from the lines around her mouth I came upon an unbelievable scene With a tiny man in a tiny coat In a tiny creek there's a tiny boat I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?" He said "Of course I can - I'm an elf We're not just fictional device We sail ravines and give advice" I said "My baby is what it's about" He cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about Don't fill me in on right or wrong Take these ropes and sing this song" Circumstances eat themselves The present tense has been Fill the fancy bowl up At the present tense tureen. His eyes were afire, he lit up a coal Handed me a ladle and a little white bowl And said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook" Put the pot on the fire, he opened a book "That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen" He said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen And what's inside will make you well So ring this little dinner bell" Like a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid Then he giggled in french - that's what he did But there was no sweet soup inside. Silence fell on the cooling night "Help yourself" he beamed with pride I thought I better fake it just to be polite Circumstances eat themselves Smallest friend, biggest moon Empty bowl, empty spoon. The present tense has been At the present tense tureen. Fill the fancy bowl up Circumstances eat themselves Fill the fancy bowl up The present tense has been At the present tense tureen.